Dtn 19 10 15

Falling oil price: ^&M1 dd M ƍƆƐƈƐƈ 01 ƒƆƏ ƍƋ Ɛ ƅƊ ƾƠ ü Ƈ ## ô Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ɠ ƏƊƇ ƏƅƆ Friday Atufe

ÎÎÎPetroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff

Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),

ADDAX branch has petitioned the Federal Government over the planned sack of 20 percent of about 300 Nigerians employees and contractors with poor pay package by

the management of ADDAX Petroleum Nigeria Limited because of falling oil price in the international market.

Abiola Oyebola, the Industrial Relations

Officer of ADDAX branch of PENGASSAN explained that the management is planning Continued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.211

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 16th October 2015.

FO

280

10.00

3.57%

ZENITHBANK

17.51

0.66

3.77%

MOBIL

148

-7.00

-4.73%

TRANSCOHOT

6.42

-0.68

-10.59%

UACN

28.05

1.20

4.28%

GUARANTY

23.51

0.47

2.00%

GUINNESS

150

-1.00

-0.67%

ETI

18.3

-0.55

-3.01%

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Buhari showing dictatorial traits – PDP

Ï ó^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛô Ɛƈéƅ ƏƏƑƍƐƈ ƅƏƑ ƗƆ Ɔé ƈƗƆƗô Ï ^#^ ƏƑ ƑƐ Ƈ ƈƗƆ – Presidency ÎÎÎThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Lateef Ibrahim, ƑƏƆ Ƒ ƈƆƇ æ ƄƑƉ ç

on Sunday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of still manifesting the

same dictatorial tendencies that were the hallmarks of his government as military head of state in 1984.

The opposition party similarly thumbed Continued on page 6

FG begins probe of g17 NIMASA, NNPC, NPA over dollar revenue

Appeal Court rule on Saraki today g12 Bayelsa Guber polls: Fresh hurdles g8 for Sylva

Mercy gL1 Ebosele: From costuming to stardom

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2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Resurgence of armed robberies

T

he increase in armed robbery attacks all over the country is becoming a cause for concern to all Nigerians. No day passes without reports of armed robbers attacking residences or banks in one part of the country or another with attendant loss of lives and property. In fact, majority of Nigerians are not only apprehensive at the increasing state of insecurity, they are finding themselves helpless and vulnerable in the face of such brazen assaults. Matters are made worse by the fact that security agencies whose responsibility it is to protect these institutions and homes during such desperate moments are always found wanting in the course of their duty. Just last week, armed robbers invaded two new generation banks at Festac Town, Lagos State in broad daylight with hardly any response from the security agencies. According to report, the robbers numbering about 40 and armed with assault rifles carted away huge sums of money during the attack that lasted more than one hour. Most heart rending was that of a toddler and her mother who were hit by stray bullets inside their apartment,while a commercial motorcyclist, was also shot and killed. The Festac robbery is symptomatic of the brazenness with which robbers operate in the country, especially in the light of the poor and ineffective response time of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

Lately, reports of robbers attacking finance houses and homes have been rife.

Robbers now take turns to invade these places with attendant loss of lives, even as they cart away huge sums of money.

Armed robbery, no doubt, is one serious security challenge that has continued unabated be it highway or bank robbery, or car snatching among others. In the last one-year, there have been bank robberies in many parts of the country with Lagos State as the worst hit.

Over a month ago, two new generation banks at the Ebute Ikpakodo area of Ikorodu, were attacked. In the process, several people were wounded and huge sums of money stolen. Incidentally, that robbery occurred only few weeks after robbers had attacked the Lekki branch of a commercial bank.

Armed robbery is one of the oldest organised crimes in the world. While robbers are wont to attack banks in search of large sums of money, their nefarious activities also put motorists and travellers on the highways at risk.

We are horrified at the increasing spate of armed robberies in the country, even as we call on the authorities to take all effective measures to check the menace.

It is duty of the police to protect all law-abiding citizens from the dangers posed by such lawless fringe groups as armed robbers who in their mindless pursuit for evil lucre are ready to wreck havoc on society. For the police to effectively checkmate armed robberies, there is need for mutual coordination and inter-agency synergy in the form of intelligence gathering and information.

On the other hand, they need increased funding, better equipment, higher motivation, discipline and dedication to function efficiently and effectively.

As part of effectively securing their premises, banks should also use trained security personnel, specialised equipment and customised procedures to reduce, degrade and eliminate risks or loss of banks assets. Each bank should put in place intricate web of security network and control centralised for maximum-security effectiveness.

Armed robbers appear to have surreptitiously moved the nation closer to a Hobessian state where life could be short, nasty and brutish. The courage and tenacity often exhibited by them are baffling, even as they leave trails of grief and destructions in their wake.

The country must do everything to put them out of action.

President and CEO National Newspaper Publishers Association USA, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.; Chairman National Newspaper Publishers Association USA and Publisher of Washington Informer, Denise Rolark Barnes and Publisher the Daily Times of Nigeria, Fidelis Anosike during a collaboration meeting in Washington DC ...recently.

Can someone call Gov. el-Rufai to order?

Sam Nzeh “If you are not happy with appointments made, you can go and climb Kufena Mountain and fall.

It was what you voted that you got because we are aware that there are people who did not vote for us, in fact they worked against us.

“But now they claim to be All Progressives Congress (APC) members and loyal to the party. We know such people. And so there is no way they would expect anything from us.

You didn’t vote us but you want appointments. What you will get is zero.”

That was the response of Governor Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State in answer to questions from stakeholders at the 4th town hall meeting with Kaduna Central zone on Saturday as he tried to justify why he could not give appointment to persons that did not vote for him during the last governorship election.

Clearly, the statement was unbecoming of a governor. It was an insult. It was arrogance on display.

Granted that Gov. el-Rufai is right to decide who to appoint into his administration, still he did not have to insult those who didn’t vote for him by his statement. He did not have to ask them go and com-

Words On Marble :

mit suicide.

It smacks of arrogance and insensitivity for a governor who is under oath to look after all citizens in his state including those who did not vote for him, to turn around to cause them and even push them to ‘go and die’.

As governor, it is expected of el-Rufai to exhibit maturity in the face of provocation. This is what civilised behaviour teaches.

So, those who have Gov. el-Rufai’s ears would do him a world of good if they make him learn to keep his temper under control. The same goes to his counterparts in other states who denigrate their subjects.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Group Managing Editor Molara Wood

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“It is important for Nigerians to know that goodness is not restricted to tribe, religion or political parties”.

Ayo Fayose

“Most of the time when accident occurs, it is not the fact that an accident has occurred that kills most people, but fear and trauma.”

Chinedu Nebo “If you become monotonous in anything, it is so easy to burn out and run out of line, but if there is diversity, intellectual diversity, cultural diversity, bio diversity,… you see that people are stronger and better formed out.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 19, 2015

Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Plateau Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏOperation

Save Haven (OPSH), deployed to restore law and order in Plateau State, on Sunday, has said that in keeping with the tradition of updating residents within its area of operational responsibility with developments as they occur, they have arrested members of the terrorist group and other criminals in various parts of the state.

OPHS, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Sunday, said while the high profile suspects had been relocated out of town for investigation, other suspects will be handed over as

soon as investigation is concluded on their cases for prosecution by appropriate security agencies.

The statement, which was signed by it media officer, Captain Ikediche Iweha, said members of the public are being requested to continue to maintain high vigilance especially around places where a large number of persons will be gathered.

According to him, park operators and managers, market unions, mosques, churches, schools and relaxation spots operators, are all enjoined to put in place security measures around their vicinity.

In other developments, following the report of the rustling of

cattle belonging to one Alhaji Sale Bala of Lugare village, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on the 11 October, 2015, personnel of OPSH engaged the rustlers in a hot pursuit with exchange of fire, forcing the rustlers to abandon the loot. The cattle numbering 52 cows and 22 rams were shared into smaller groups to enable faster escape of the rustlers.

The statement added that the recovered cattle were handed over to the Alhaji Sale Bala in the presence of the Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Barkin Ladi. In the same vein, 14 cows belonging to Mr. Nanbol Nimyel of Pinau village,

in Wase Local Government Area of the state, were also recovered from rustlers who carted away the cows at gun point.

"The rustlers were overpowered by superior fire power in the process of recovery, and the cows handed over to the chairman of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association, Wase branch, for onward return to Mr. Nanbol".

According to the statement, troops restrained cattle belonging to one Abdulkarim Adamu, which were reported to have encroached illegally and grazing on the farm of one Mr. Thomas Chollom, all of Rakun Village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

COAS orders troops to defeat insurgents Andrew Orolua

Abuja ÏÏÏChief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Yusuf Buratai last weekend ordered troops to degrade Boko Haram and defeat the terrorists who are waging war against the country.

Nigerian Army spokesman, Col Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement that the directive was contained in a message to the troops. General Buratai said that the next few days will be crucial to Operation LAFIYA DOLE engaged in the fight against Boko Haram in North East. The next few weeks is also "crucial to our country Nigeria. Our sovereignty as a nation is threatened. The Nigerian Army and indeed the military as the symbol of our nationhood is being challenged," he stated.

According to General Buratai, “our ability to stand and defeat the Boko Haram terrorists in the next few weeks will determine the future of our country." He warned that the military "cannot afford to lose the fight. We are better trained and better equipped. The whole nation is behind us. Mr. President is with us. Let us remain steadfast in this noble cause. "Be courageous. We must degrade and defeat the terrorists. This job must be done. We must make our country men and women proud", he told the troops.

Buratai

5 News

N1.7b: Ex-LAUTECH CMD denies fraud allegation Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo ÏÏÏThe immediate past Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECHTH), Osogbo, Professor Solomon Olufemi Fadiora has replied his successor in office, Professor Akeem Lasisi over the allegation of mismanagement of the budgeted N1.7 billion capital projects fund accrued to the hospital.

Fadiora, while reacting on Sunday to the recent statement credited to Lasisi in section of the media that Lasisi inherited comatose teaching hospital from his predecessor in office, insisted that the teaching hospital was in good order and not in comatose as of the time of handing over to the new acting Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital.

It would be recalled that the funds were given to the hospital during the Fadiora’s four years tenure of office.

Apart from denying mismanagement, Fadiora also rejected the position of Lasisi that the teaching hospital was in a state of comatose when he took over as new Chief Medical Director (CMD).

Lawmaker berates FG over lack of solution to Plateau killings Moses Ikyaa-Gba Jos L-R: Director, ARM Pension Managers Limited, Daniel Akujobi; Country Manager, CIMA, Ijeoma Anadozie; Managing Director, CIMA, Andrew Harding and Chief Operating Officer and Partner, KPMG Nigeria, Yomi Sanni, at the institute’s 2015 members’ dinner in Lagos...at the weekend

Ex-Edo NMA chair abducted Titus Akhigbe

Benin ÏÏÏIt was a sad weekend for the family of Ugbodaga in Enwan, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, as a former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in the state, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga and two other doctors whose identities are yet to be known, were reportedly kidnapped on Friday in Imo State.

Dr. Ugbodaga and the two other doctors had gone to render free medical services to some communities, courtesy of a friend who was championing free medical services to members of the community.

Daily Times gathered that Ugbodaga and his colleagues had hardly arrived their base when they were forcefully stopped by the suspected kidnappers at gunpoint, while the three occupants of the vehicle were

taken to an unknown destination.

As at the time of this report, the suspected kidnappers are yet to make any contact.

Family members had been reluctant to comment on the incident, but added that security agencies are already investigating the kidnap.

But it was reliably gathered that the incident happened at Isu Local Government Area, near Umuaka, when a particular vehicle, suspecting to have been trailing them, ordered them to stop and picked Ugbodaga and the two other doctors.

Meanwhile, reactions have been trailing the incident as the Convener of Edo Focus, Aiyamenkhue Edokpolor, a platform for political and socio-economic discuss in the state and where Ugbodaga is an active member, has in a statement, condemned the action and called on the Inspector General of Police,

Solomon Arase, to swing into action and rescue him and others and arrest the perpetrators.

“The news of Dr. Phillip Ugbodaga's kidnap came to us as a rude shock because apart from his easygoing lifestyle, he is an indefatigable advocate for the emancipation of the poor, the preservation of the rights of the oppressed Nigerians, and health care provider for the vulnerable citizens of Edo State and Nigeria.

“For us, there is certainly no justification for such a person in Ugbodaga's standing to be kidnapped, assuming the perpetrators considers moral grounds as a precursor for their action, however, we are appealing to the Inspector General of Police - Mr. Solomon Arase to deploy his professional expertise towards the safe and healthy release of our dear brother and comrade.

ÏÏÏA member, representing Bar-

kin Ladi and Riyom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Istifanus Gyang, has decried the Federal and state government's neglect of the people of his constituency.

The lawmaker, who disclosed this last weekend when he visited Bakin Kogi, Zakupang in Foron District and Ragwak in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government, to commiserate with victims and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of the incessant killings and attacks, said government and the security apparatus's efforts in ending the attacks in the area has not reached an appreciable level.

The lawmaker, who was in company of another member representing Barkin Ladi constituency in the State Assembly, Hon. Peter Gyendeng and some stakeholders, stated that in his efforts he has presented a motion on the floor of the National Assembly on the massive destruction and incessant killings of his constituents.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Buhari showing dictatorial traits – PDP Continued from page 1 down the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government, describing it a sham and one-sided.

However, the Presidency on Sunday dismissed the allegation, assuring that President Buhari has always maintained that even when it affects APC members, any person alleged to have engaged in corruption would not be spared.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa

Metuh, levelled the accusation at a press conference in Abuja.

Metuh stated that while the party has restated its support for a credible, holistic fight against corruption, unfolding events have confirmed the PDP position that the present APC-led administration was only using the anticorruption posture as a tool to witch-hunt PDP members and perceived political opponents of APC government.

He said: “We (PDP members) are aware that having realised that Nigerians have seen through their propaganda, deceit and lies, as well as their ineptitude in handling governance, the APC government is now mortally afraid of the on-going rebuilding in the PDP to take over power in 2019, and is as such, applying every negative means to decimate our great party, including the relentless victimization of our key

members”.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, while reacting to the interrogation of former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the weekend, said President Buhari’s fight against corruption was selective.

He noted with regrets that the President’s fight against corruption was focused against PDP mem-

bers, despite counsels by stakeholders that it should be holistic and in accordance with the due process of the law.

His words: “The APC and its government have been busy denigrating the PDP and trying to appropriate our achievements, while at the same time blackmailing, hounding and harassing our elected members with the aim to cow and force them to leave the PDP and join their party.

“We have verifiable reports from our key members that agents of the APC have been approaching them to join the APC with threats to use the EFCC to victimize them should they refuse.

“The APC and its agents have been boasting that they have the powers to deal with or spare any person, depending on the par-

ty such person belongs to.

“The best example of the curious nature of the war against corruption is the fact that former PDP governors and ministers are being hounded and arrested over apparently orchestrated petitions, while their APC counterparts, who have more damaging petitions are being nominated for ministerial positions.

“Even other APC former governors who have ongoing corruption cases in court are being rewarded with APC tickets for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa” .

Metuh further pointed out that there were petitions against former governors of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states, stressing however that whereas the Continued on page 12

FG to host IDPs stakeholders’ forum next week Egena Egena, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left) with Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona during the Senate delegation’s condolence visit to the traditional ruler in his Palace over the death of Mrs. H.I.D Awolowo in Ogun State... recently.

Falling oil price: PENGASSAN petitions FG over plan to sack 20 % of ADDAX’s Nigerian workforce ...About 60 senior managers, junior managers, contractors may be affected Continued from page 1 to sack about 20 percent of of the Nigerian workforce made up of senior members of staff, junior staff and contractors with poor pay packet. He added that many of the workers actually wanted to go if the severance packaged could be raised but the management is adamant on laying them off with poor severance packages.

Nigeria’s major crude oil grade, bonny light is under pressure of price decline and insufficient export, due to force majeure regularly declared by Nigerian oil companies as a result of vandalism.

Last Tuesday, the price

of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of twelve crudes, including Nigeria’s bonny light has dropped to $50.92 a barrel, compared with $83.50, $80.42 and $63.28 per barrel it recorded in October, November and December last year.

In the petition signed by the chairman of the union, Comrade Chris Ogiemwonyi (Chairman), Abiola Oyebola (Industrial Relations Officer) and Bolarinwa Durojaiye (Chapter Secretary), the union noted that Addax Petroleum was acquired by the Chinese (Sinopec) through a shady deal that was initially unapproved by the NNPC in year 2009.

“However, the shady deal was made legitimate when the Nigerian Government put the needs of her people first. It is therefore surprising that only eight years later, the Chinese company has decided to pay the Nigerian Government back by attempting to render Nigerian citizens jobless and penniless even though they seek new business opportunities in Brazil’s marginal field opportunities and in Britain’s North Sea.” According to the union, many of the Nigerian members of staff are of the opinion that the Chinese had always wanted to reduce staff strength, under the illusion that this would increase

their profit margin and perhaps enable them employ more of their countrymen to plunder Nigeria’s resources.

“These plans are about to materialise under the leadership of Cornelis Zegelaar, the Dutch Managing Director and a few dubious Nigerians who are members of the company’s Leadership Team. Together with the MD, this team has claimed that the three reasons for the proposed staff cuts are due to ‘unresolved issues with the NNPC’ which has led to a termination of crude lifting, unresolved side letter and low oil prices.”

Continued on page 20

Federal Government will next week hold a two-day engagement forum with local and international stakeholders in Maiduguri, Borno State to chart the way forward on the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East.

The forum being convened by the Presidency and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is to ensure an efficient coordination and create synergy of purpose in the humanitarian intervention efforts for the North-East, between Federal Government and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Themed “North-East Humanitarian Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Coordination, Communication and Cooperation,” the event scheduled for October 27 is expected to establish a framework for coordination by bringing key stakeholders together to produce a blueprint for best practices and ensure an articulated response to emergencies and humanitarian challenges in the three most affected states of the North East - Adama-

wa, Borno, and Yobe states.

A statement from the media office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the interactive forum with relevant international and local NGOs, development partners, aid and donor agencies would create an enabling platform to discuss the most efficient approaches to adopt towards complementing efforts of the Federal and State Governments with specialized services in the affected areas and thereby ensuring a sustained and coherent system for social services delivery in the region.

“It will put in focus, the desirability for complementary, results-driven, goals-targeted collaboration of efforts among the Federal and State Governments, Non-Governmental Organisations and other stakeholders within the framework of the Federal Government’s plan in both the short and long term.

“The forum will also strengthen stakeholders’ coordination and management efforts, in order to ensure that NGOs are provided with adequate capacity for optimal service delivery as well as services provided by these NGOs having the widest impact in target areas.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19 , 2015

7 News

Groups warn APGA over tribunal cases Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia A group known as the Coalition of Pressure Groups, on Friday, at the state office of All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) in Umuahia, staged a peaceful demonstration to protest against what they called election tribunal rulings in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State.

Its spokesman, Mr. Chukwuemeka Mba, expressed apprehension that “some PDP members and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have stated that they have succeeded in getting the tribunal Judges to give favourable decision to PDP in the remaining cases at

ÏÏÏ

the tribunal.”

According to the group, they had wanted to shun the election, but were compelled to participate by the APGA leaders and candidates on the promise that “even where the election is rigged, the tribunal will definitely restore the victory”, regretting that “the verdict of National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal that gave legal stamp to incontrovertible fictitious result has justified our fears.”

The group wondered whether it would get justice at the tribunal, if APGA was surrendering their mandates to election mandate robbers, and would like to know what could done to see that the relevant authorities did not toy with the people’s voice.”

Ex-NOA boss decries non-speaking of Yoruba language by traditional rulers

ÏÏÏFormer

Oyo State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Femi Mapaderun, has condemned the manner in which most traditional rulers in Yoruba land speak English language at public functions.

He said this, at the weekend, in Oyo town, while presenting a lecture titled: “The Concept, Values and Supremacy of Alaafin Oyo in West Africa”, as a part of the activities marking the 77th birthday anniversary of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. Mapaderun, who said it is unfortunate that most traditional rulers could not even speak Yoruba language fluently, noted that this had

necessitated situations where they speak in English at public events.

According to him, while traditional rulers from the Eastern and Northern parts of the country understand English language, yet they speak their native languages as a way of promoting their culture, but their counterparts from the South-West were fund of speaking English language as if they were the only educated ones.

The former NOA boss who then charged the Alaafin to liaise with other traditional rulers in Yoruba land to ensure compulsory speaking of Yoruba language in schools and public functions, said this would rescue the language from its dwindling state.

Ekiti APC accuses Fayose of favouritism

salaries and severance allowances to former political office holders.

Noting that the governor had failed to carry along workers on whose behalf he obtained the money for the settlement of their entitlements, Olatunbosun also accused Fayose of refusing to pay September 2014 salary and leave bonus to workers. He said: “He has also refused to pay September, half October salary, severance and furniture allowances to former political office holders who were captured in the bailout fund protocol even though he announced a few days ago on a live television programme that he would pay past political office holders, but he has not done so, while the salaries paid into the primary school teachers’ accounts were reversed 30 minutes after they received alerts.”

He also accused Fayose of marginalising the neighbouring towns surrounding Afao-Ekiti, his home town, in the distribution of infrastructure and social amenities, citing restoration of electricity to Afao, while leaving out Igbemo, Iluomoba and Ijan.

Gbenga Sodeinde

Ado-Ekiti The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has again urged Governor Ayo Fayose to pay workers’ entitlements from the bailout cash he received for that purpose two weeks ago from the Federal Government.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party accused Fayose of refusing to explain to Ekiti people what he had done with the special funds provided by the Federal Government to the state for the payment of backlog of workers' entitlements, pensions,

ÏÏÏ

Fayose

L-R: Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former Minister for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili; co-founder, Red Media Africa, Adebola Williams and ministerial nominee and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the Red Summit Gala Night to honour 121 exceptional media icons, held in Victoria Island, Lagos…at the weekend. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Base your campaigns on issues, not lies, Sylva tells Dickson ÏÏÏThe Timipre Sylva Campaign

Organisation has deplored the campaign strategy of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Hon. Seriake Dickson, as full of falsehood and deceit. It described as unfortunate the fact that Dickson had chosen the defamation of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as his sole campaign message.

In a statement, on Sunday, in Yenagoa, by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, the Sylva camp said such a strategy would fail the Bayelsa PDP governorship candidate at the December 5 election just as it failed his principal, former President Goodluck Jonathan, at the last general election.

The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation stated, “We are dis-

turbed that a sitting government desiring re-election has taken to a campaign of calumny, deception, and lies and a sole election strategy. In lie after lie, which we have extensively exposed, they have tried to malign the character of Sylva.

But it is clear that Dickson and his co-travellers will fail.

“They will fail in Bayelsa State, as we are all living witnesses to how such campaign of slander and mudslinging fell flat at the federal level, when it was applied by their principal, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, during the last presidential election. This fact is indubitable, and we would not have bothered about Dickson and the PDP’s mission of self-destruction in Bayelsa State.

“But we need to warn that in this election, we are not in a contest for

who would abuse most, but in a contest to improve upon the lives of the people of Bayelsa.

“What comes out clearly in the current well-funded media campaign against Sylva is that it carries the official stamp of the Dickson administration. The visibly unimaginative and dull anti-Sylva publications have emanated from Government House, Yenagoa, as the email addresses and other imprimaturs of the Dickson government on them show.

“Obviously, the campaign of calumny against Sylva is a deliberate policy of the Dickson administration; his only election plan, because, as we have repeatedly pointed out, he is evidently incompetent and ignorant of any achievements to campaign with.

Yoruba youths group passes vote of confidence on NIIA boss Babalola Oluwaseun

ÏÏÏThe leadership and members

of the Yoruba Council of Youths (YCY), a coalition of various youths and students organisations in South-West geo-political zone of Nigeria and in diaspora has passed vote of confidence on Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa.

In a statement and signed by the National President of the organisation, Aremo Oladotun Hassan, the body heartily commend Akinterinwa’s unprecedented landmark achievements and succinct track records of excellence, integrity, patriotism, innovations, dynamism, untainted diligence in the service of the nation and unparalleled de-

livery of developmental prospects at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

Besides, it said, “We appreciate his qualitative intelligence and impeccable character, which reflects his true identity and personality, aimed at the overall sustenance of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs as second to none institution in Nigeria and Africa, predicated on United Nations standard practices and administrative objectives.

“We are, indeed, very proud of him as our father, mentor and trailblazer, whose passionate drive and quest for developmental positive change is in consonance with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra determinants and

noble vision for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We hope to use this medium to further encourage and propel him not to be deterred at his success mileage, optimistic goals and superlative objectives, for he has proven his critics, detractors and agent provocateurs beyond reasonable doubt as a detribalized, true Nigerian and Man of Excellence, whose yardstick for humanity is pegged on merits and not nepotism. Based on this premise, we hereby unanimously pass a “vote of confidence” on Professor Bola A. Akinterinwa, as Director General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). We wish him greater achievements and successes in his future callings.”

8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Politics

Audu

Æs

Embattled governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken him to seven different courts I Abuja and Lokoja over phantom missing N11 billion.

In a tweetChat on his tweeter handle with his followers, Audu, a former governor of the state cleared the air on the N11 billion allegedly looted by him, amongst others, claiming that no money

Audu: EFCC took me to seven courts over N11 Billion c

was missing.

His words: “When I was in office between 1999 – 2003, we received average monthly allocation of N350 million - about N16.8 billion for the entire 4 years of my tenure. With these, we paid

all salaries, we built Kogi State University, Obajana Cement Factory (now owned and run by Dangote Cement), Confluence Beach Hotel, Stella Obasanjo Library, Paparanda Square, Government House (Lugard) House,

Government Office Secretariat, the Banquet Hall, started the Confluence Stadium and built the Lokoja Township Stadium.

Others are the Federal Medical CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Bayelsa Guber polls:

Fresh hurdles for Sylva Akinjide Akintola

Dickson

Sylva

Despite grabbing the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress APC) ahead of the forthcoming election in Bayelsa State, fresh hur-

dles are already standing in the way of former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

This time, it is not the corruption charges being filed against him by the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC), but the hurdles and being placed in his way by his kinsmen from his local government.

Some prominent chiefs in Nembe kingdom and kinsmen in Brass Local Government Area

of the state are said to have given tough conditions for their support ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

According to sources, Sylva was said to have sent representatives to meet with the chiefs

Lagos on the move again as Ambode swears in cabinet

Lagos State noted for its pacesetting role in the country will again move into action as the new cabinet takes oath of office today, Monday 19 October 2015.

For almost four months now, the state has been ran without Commissioners or Special Advisers making opposition parties to insinuate that things have gone on in unsteady manner.

However, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode will now swear in 23 commissioners and 14 special advisers, who will constitute the State Executive Council, after having been given the nod by the State House of Assembly.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, indicated that the ceremony will hold at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa

Secretariat by 10am.

According to him, “The House of Assembly has just officially informed His Excellency that they have completed the screening and confirmation of all the 23 Commissioner Designates and 14 Special Adviser Designates which he had sent to the House on September 21. So what is left is CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

and others in Brass last week to sound them out on how they would support him at the forthcoming polls.

But it was learnt that both the chiefs and Sylva’s kinsmen in CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Ambode

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

where have these funds gone? - Audu

Audu

Larmode

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Kogites against me, and when the people couldn’t buy into that, having known the truth, they orchestrated my arrest, which led to my being dragged before the ICPC, CCB, CCT and EFCC. “When all that failed, the then PDP led Kogi state government took over and issued a white paper, banning me from politics for 10years. I proceeded to court, and the court ruled that the Kogi government has no such right to ban me from politics.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has also taken me to seven courts in total (four in Kogi and three in Abuja). In each of these cases, they’ll always pull out before judgment is passed and go back to

Centre, equipped with 25 state-ofart ambulances, NTA Kogi, Radio Kogi, Kogi Graphics Newspaper, 75 rural electrification projects, the Presidential Lodge, Governor’s Lodge, Abuja and inter-state roads; We also built the Specialist Eye Centre, Commissioner’s Quarters, 200 housing units, just to mention a few. In 2002, the Federal Government instituted a panel to evaluate and reward performance. Out of 12 awards for the 36 state governors, I won seven. Now, how could all these have been achieved?

“When the then ruling People’s Democratic Party saw me as a threat, they started instigating

Lagos swears in commisioners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

for him to conduct the swearing in ceremony so as to enable them resume the task of governance”.

Among those to be sworn in are six cabinet members from the immediate past administration of Babatunde Fashola.

They are former Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; former Special Adviser, Central Business District, Folarin Coker, former Special Adviser, Commerce and Industry, Seye Oladejo; former Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, and former Special Adviser, Rural Development, Babatunde Hunpe.

Mr Ambode named a relatively young cabinet with the likes of Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, Fela Bank-Olemoh, Akinyemi Ashade, Steve Ayorinde, Alhaja Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Kehinde Joseph and Prof. Ademola Abass, whose ages range between 39 and 47 years.

Other names include Dr. Akintola Benson, former Special Adviser Political and Legislative

Powers Bureau, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, Dr. Mohammed Akinkunmi, former member, House of Representatives, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Dr. Femi Onanuga, CEO of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, Arch. Wasiu Anifowoshe, former member House of Assembly, Mrs. Lola Akande, Agboola Dabiri, Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, Anofi Elegushi, Rotimi Ogunleye, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Femi Odubiyi, Alhaji Musiliu Folami, Adeniji Kazeem, Adeyemi Labinjo, Toyin Suarau, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, Deji Tinubu, Mrs. Mudirat Giwanson and former Chairman Ejigbo LCDA, Kehinde Bamigbetan.

Ambode

frame up new figures; I was first accused of stealing N1.5b, then N4b, then N8b and finally N11 billion. It’s also on record that I was the most pursued politician by the EFCC, as the PDP wanted my head at all cost – always during elections.

“And so I ask all Kogites and Nigerians, how could my administration have achieved all we did with less than N6 billion, if N11 billion was missing? Again only the work I did in Kogi State stands there today. The PDP govt. since I left office, has received about N550 billion, without accounting for it.

“So the questions should be: where have these funds gone?

Why are Kogites still languishing in abject poverty? Why is Lokoja the dirtiest state capital in Nigeria? Why has EFCC been mute?

Clearly the PDP led EFCC had a different agenda. I leave these thoughts to my fellow Kogites to mull over and ponder. The truth is out there for those who care to know but my happiness is that all well-meaning Kogites know the truth and have pledged to support me and the APC to victory ahead of the November 21 Governorship election, as I promise to do even more, when we eventually take up power”, he stressed.

Peter Claver Oparah For those who have sentenced themselves to inconsolable wailing since President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the epic, March 28 presidential election, the last few weeks were like weeks of second death.

For those who have embraced witless and headless opposition to every action taken thus far by President Buhari to mend the ship-wrecked Nigerian state that was writhing on the throes of death before March 28, as a way of advertising their anger and shock for that epochal defeat, the spate of recant of their apex leaders in the fight to sustain the Jonathan regime did last week added to the open sores of March 28. For those who have become popularly known in the Nigerian media as the Wailing Wailers, the shock is so comprehensive that they have become suddenly speechless.

First was the Godfather of former President Jonathan who could pass for the patron Saint of PDP, Edwin Clark. He was the lodestar for the battle to re-elect

9 Politics

Against the backdrop of allegations unfair treatment of women in his new cabinet, National Coordinator of Asiwaju Change Movement (World Wide), Hon. Simisola Jegede Ayoade has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give paramount attention to the empowerment of women more than anything else.

Ayoade, who spoke in Lagos, noted that women must be allowed to contribute their quota to the development of the country and commended President Buhari for nominating some women into his cabinet but said there was a need for the President to do more.

“Honestly I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating some women in his cabinet as Ministers. As a woman who is actively involving in Politics, I will appeal to our President to deem it necessary to appoint bulk of women into his cabinet.

“The role of women in developed countries cannot be overemphasised. I also want to implore President Buhari to quickly fashion out modalities to empower women. This will go a long way to curb poverty among women,” she stated.

Speaking on the establishment of ‘Asiwaju Change Movement’, she said the move was to honor the All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader, Asiwaju

Why Buhari Should Empower More Women - Hon. Ayoade Ahmed Tinubu for his contributions to the development of the country.

Her words: “Tinubu, going by history I personally felt moved for his love to humanitarianism in his virtue and beliefs in helping followers to grow in the political settings.

“He has personally engaged in the struggle of being an opposition and democratically worked vehemently to effect the change we are enjoying today”.

Buhari

The vanishing wailing wailers Jonathan and was a clearing house of sorts to the converging tendencies that coalesced to sustain Jonathan in power after what was generally seen as a dismal six years in power. For the re-election of Jonathan, Clark fretted and threatened with so much force that nothing and nobody, not even former President Obasanjo was spared of his bile. He fell short of levying war against whosoever never saw the wisdom in voting Jonathan in March and he was privy to gathering a motley crowd of elderly PDP sympathisers in the South to form a Southern Elders Forum that unabashedly campaigned for Jonathan and the PDP. But it was another Clark who, last week not only disclaimed the PDP but threw wholehearted support for President Buhari especially in his war against corruption. Clark not only dismissed the charge of selective prosecution

of the anti corruption war, which the hirelings of the PDP has made their daily catena but fell short of describing his godson, Jonathan as a derelict that has no guts to fight corruption. Were the rabid anti-Buharists shocked? No, they were shellacked! They were beaten flat for here is their godfather, a general of the battle they are prolonging by their syndicated hysteria, throwing them so pitiably under the bus and also damning the man for whom they have so exerted themselves to support.

It was a red day for the Wailing Wailers.

If there is any woman that fits the feminine equivalent of Clark in the order of reverence by the Wailing Wailers, it was the immediate past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the economy under Jonathan. Even when most Nigerians feel this woman’s long stay as our economCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

APC Candidate: PDP spreading false propaganda CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Brass who met with Sylva’s men on the aegis of Nembe Patriots, were not too disposed to the advances by Sylva as they gave a three-point condition to support his aspirations.

The conditions are: to apologise for failing to develop Brass and Nembe while he held sway as governor of the state for five years, apologise for the many youths who lost their lives as operatives in the state-sponsored security outfit, Famuo-Tangbe as well as account for the billions of naira allegedly spent from the state coffers under his watch insisting that unless the conditions were met, they will not support Sylva, it was learnt.

They were said to have expressed disappointment that for five years that Sylva served as governor, he never thought it important to construct the road leading to Nembe which he claimed to be “economically unviable”, while the same road considered unviable has now been constructed by incumbent governor Seriake Dickson.

“That it took Governor Dickson who is not a son of Nembe to construct this critical road is baffling to say the least”, the chiefs were said to have told Sylva’s men at the meeting.

Besides their disappointment over lack of development in their areas, the chiefs also raised posers on the many deaths among Nembe youths under Sylva’s regime with insinuations that youths who served in FamuoTangbe were allegedly lured into service to unleash terror on the APC candidate’s political enemies` with consequent reprisals.

Similarly, a source told our correspondent that the chiefs were livid when the issue of accountability was raised as most of them claimed in their individual presentations that rather than use state resources to develop

Doifie

Sylva the state, the former governor allegedly misappropriated funds meant for the state.

However, in another development, the Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson, of sponsoring a media publication alleging a plot to arrest the APC state chairman, Mr. Tiwe Orunimighe.

This followed reports that Sylva, was persuading the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to order Orunimighe’s arrest.

In a statement by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo it said the false publication was part of a PDP campaign programme based on what it described as reckless interference in the affairs of the APC due to lack of achievements to campaign with.

Dickson “Hon. Seriake Dickson and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, have since the beginning of the campaign for the December 5 governorship election become ruthless interfering busybodies in the affairs of the All Progressives Congress.

“The fascination with APC and Chief Timipre Sylva is understandable, especially, for a governor who hardly has any achievements to point to after nearly four years in office. Besides, Dickson and PDP cannot afford not to be interested in APC, a political party the vast majority of people in Bayelsa State are looking up to for redemption from the current regime of deceit and maladministration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we want to state clearly that APC in Bayelsa State is united. We and, indeed, the people of Bayelsa, cannot be distracted by the

campaign of calumny by a governor and his party that do not have any bankable attainments to share with the people in seeking their votes. We are presenting a united front, with the good people of the state, to accomplish the historic mission of ending PDP’s reign of underdevelopment on December 5.

“As for the falsehood put out by Dickson and his party about the APC state chairman, any rightthinking person would know that the publication is a mere frivolity that exposes the distress of a sinking administration.

“First, in their haste to misinform, they confused the name of the Inspector General of Police, calling him “Sunday Arise” – instead of Solomon Arase. They also lied about the age of the deputy governorship candidate of APC, Elder Wilberforce Titus Igiri. We are at a loss how any

responsible media organ could be used for such unimaginative campaign.

“Second, authors of the spurious publication alleged a letter to the Inspector General of Police but failed to make any specific reference in terms of the wordings of the said letter, date, and reference number. These are necessary features that must authenticate formal communications with an officer of the Nigerian state as high in status as the IGP. “We call on the IGP to quickly dissociate his name from this triviality being sown by Dickson and PDP in Bayelsa State.

“We appeal to the teeming APC members and supporters in the state to remain dedicated to the cause of our collective redemption through PDP’s electoral ouster on December 5. We cannot afford to bow to any distractions.”

“Hon. Seriake Dickson and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, have since the beginning of the campaign for the December 5 governorship election become ruthless interfering busybodies in the affairs of the All Progressives Congress”.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

11 Politics

Gowon wrong to say Nigeria not easy to govern- Agoro Dr Olapade Agoro, former Presidential Candidate of National Action Council (NAC) has described as a fallacy, claims by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon that Nigeria was not easy to govern.

In a statement, he said, the 80year old General Gowon, whose “Money is not our problem but how to spend it ” era of profligacy, super permanent secretary management style of the untouchables, corruption, wasteful spending and political recklessness began the slide into the abyss of shame where the nation is now currently reeling from.

According to him, Gowon who was quoted to have in Ikenne home of late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo whilst there to commiserate with the Awolowo’s family over the death of the woman of modern age courage, strength

and honour, Hanna Dideolu Idowu Awolowo goofed for saying that “ Nigeria is not an easy country to govern”.

He said “perhaps if the late Chief Awolowo whose Ikenne house has recently been turned to a sort of Mecca by those real, genuine or fake tears shedding mourners trooping there to mourn the demise of Papa’s “Jewel of inestimable value” had not been denied the right to run the affairs of this nation even for just five years, may be Nigeria would have after all not be a country difficult to govern.

“After all, Gowon himself in Ikenne justified Chief Awolowo’s ability and capability to perform extraordinarily and everybody knew what he did to ensure that we were able to survive as a nation during those two and a half years of crisis in Nigeria”, he

said.

According to him, in a nation of failed federalism where state governors crying and claiming that monthly allowances are not enough to pay salaries’; and where Dr. Walter Carrington former United States Ambassador to Nigeria recently said: “ Nigeria’s growth without development was one of the most disturbing contradictions in its economic development”, how on earth would Nigeria not have been a country difficult to govern.

“How on earth will ‘Nigeria not be a country difficult to govern’, where shameless Senate President Bukola Saraki currently undergoing trial for corruption before a legally constituted Tribunal is now busy saddled with the responsibility overseeing the Senate screening of ministerial nominees, some of those of course

like him in manner and character.

“Although it may take long, yet one day, somehow, another Murtala Ramat Muhammed of blessed memory will emerge the scene to

Agoro

carry out the much needed surgical operation that will free Nigeria from bondage of evils making it possible for Nigeria to be governed”, he stressed.

Gowon

The vanishing wailing wailers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

ic manager rubbed off very negatively in the lives of Nigerians, the Jonathanians and PDP apologists; in fact the a wailing Wailers, deify her as the next best thing God imbued on Nigerians after pure water. To them, she is omniscient, beyond sin and reproach.

They worship her every footstep and she was dubbed the Prime Minister of the Jonathan regime.

Last week, and from nowhere, Iweala was to pour encomiums on President Buhari government like a nubile maiden serenading her newfound lover. She not only praised Buhari’s conduct of statecraft but said her decision to work under Jonathan might have been a mistake! She was speaking on September 30 as a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, United States.

Next was Stella Oduah, one of the poster girls of the Jonathan regime who was implicated in a swathe of scandals as Minister of Aviation under Jonathan but who was, nonetheless sponsored by the PDP to emerge senator in Anambra State. In a recent interview, Oduah not only hailed what she called the clear policy direction of the Buhari regime. Her points of excitement were the firm intervention by the Buhari regime that ended the coup in Burkina Faso and the plan of the regime to restore the national carrier.

Then entered Godswill Akpabio, the guy who had an a-rating appearance in all the shenanigans

Clark and intrigues launched to ensure PDP remains in perpetual power.

If Clark was the Commander-InChief of the futile PDP/Jonathan entrenchment efforts, Akpabio was the Chief of Staff. He was the enforcer of the PDP will amongst PDP members and manned the gate of the party, deciding who entered, who stays and who leaves. He was known to leverage his state’s resources to the fight for the re-election of Jonathan, among many other illegal fonts of funding that whetted that ill fated battle. On the day he returned from hospitalization abroad after a road accident in Abuja (many wonder why he did not patronise the so called world class hospital he lousily boasts of building in Akwa Ibom), this enfant terrible of the Jonathanian PDP was to address his people, given high

Okonjo-Iweala marks to the Buhari regime’s government and policies so far.

For the Wailing Wailers, these are blasphemies issuing forth from the very epicenter of their temple. They are crest fallen.

They are heart broken. They are still simmering in great shock that their leaders could so leave them in the lurch; in the scorching sun and bolt. They are devastated that those that led them to an embarrassing position where they have even become embarrassing to themselves, struggling with the truth and his best ways to deface it, have left them so high and dry- on the very crossroads.

They are still trying to gather their broken selves together to string rabid responses to these earth-shaking disappointments.

Gradually, they are gathering violent words and abuses for Clark,

Okonjo Iweala and Oduah. They are bitter. They are frustrated and they are confused on who else to follow.

For the avoidance of doubts, I had never been a fan of the four and will never be, despite their gallant efforts to admit the truth their marooned followers will like them to hush. God so kind, we have a President who is so indifferent to flattery and humour; a President that can smell jesting and fawning from several miles off, a President that can never ever be found to fund and reward flattery so trying to curry his favor through such curtsying that is implied in the confessions of the pole leaders of the PDP is an effort in futility. But I don’t think that in admitting the truth, these and many other PDP leaders that have been wrestling with their

consciences since the well-applauded change in the polity happened, were out for favor hunting.

Theirs is such relief when after struggling with the truth, you turn around to surrender for no one wins a war against truth.

But in all these, the great pity is the withering club of Wailing Wailers who pose as commissioned newspaper columnists, stranded politicians, errant passengers in public buses, the readyto-snap layabout, the ubiquitous Facebook politicians and their ilk who have ran themselves into the uncomfortable position where they are condemned to wail on every move taken by President Buhari. The distraught, desolate, hurting and inconsolable scoffers that have made a life business of scoffing at every move by Buhari to cleanse the stable of rot he inherited on May 28 are the worst hit by the gale of confessions hitting apex leaders of PDP lately. Those that have forged ready-made wailing points on every issue since March 28 because they lost their fonts of corrupt enrichment are the most badly beaten in the ensuing political development that is emerging. They have become distraught and confused orphans that are robbed of their parentage by the battle with truth.

They are presently hanging precariously on the very alleyways of our politics as they try feverishly to decipher what has hit their camps so early in the days of a regime that has so inflicted deep gashes on them.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Screening: Senate panel to decide Amaechi, Abubakar’s fate today Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Ethics and Privileg-

es Committee of the Senate is to meet today (Monday) to decide the fate of Ministerial nominee from Sokoto State, Ms Aisha Abubakar on the petition filed against her by stakeholders from the state.

The Committee, has however, completed its report on the probe of the petition filed against former governor of Rivers Sate, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on his nomination

by President Muhammadu Buhari for a ministerial job.

The failure of the Committee to submit the report last week had contributed to the stalling of screening of Amaechi by the Senate.

The Senate is however

expected to invite the ministerial nominee from Sokoto State any time before Wednesday for probe of the petition against her to determine whether or not she is to be screened.

There are indications that the Senate will complete the screening of the remaining ministerial nominees this week, having earlier confirmed 18 nominees for appointment as ministers in the cabinet of President Buhari.

President Buhari had last week bowed to pressure by withdrawing his nominee from Niger State, Ahmed Ibeto, a former deputy governor.

The petition against Ms Abubakar was filed before the Senate during its Thursday’s plenary by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto

East).

The petition which was equally endorsed by women group in from the state is seeking the withdrawal of Aisha’s nomination.

Senate President Bukola Saraki who took delivery referred it to the Ethics and Privileges Committee.

The petition tabled before the Senate was signed by the 23 local government chairmen of the party in the state who argued that by allowing Ms Abubakar’s nomination, a section of the constitution of Nigeria which guarantees fair distribution of power among all interest groups in the country would have been breached.

The political stakeholders from Sokoto in the petition said the nomination of Ms

Abubakar was against equity, justice and fairness since she is said to have hailed from the same local government area with the governor of her state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The two are said to be from Tambuwal local government area of the state.

The petition read in part: “In the exercise of your constitutional powers to appoint the Minister of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that will represent Sokoto State as envisaged by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, due regard was not given to the intendment of the Constitution which stipulates some conditions precedent as basic qualification for a nominee and principle of equity as envisaged by the Constitution.

MD/CEO, Guinness Nigeria, Peter Ndegwa (2nd right) hands over a set of breathalyser to the Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Hyginius Omeje, with Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Michael Onuoha, and Corporate Relations Director, Sesan Sobowale both of Guinness Nigeria at the flagoff of the “Ember Months Responsible Drinking Awareness Campaign” in Lagos... at the weekend

Anti-graft war: Presidency, PDP in war of words Continued from page 6 former APC governors of Lagos and Rivers were rewarded with ministerial nominations, their Akwa Ibom PDP counterpart was being hounded by the EFCC. His words: “This is in spite of the common knowledge that Akwa Ibom, under the Senator Akpabio is arguably the least indebted state in Nigeria, and where the governor appropriately applied available resources to effectively transform the state.

“We challenge the APC to show Nigerians any of their governors that matched the feats achieved in Akwa-Ibom under Senator Akpabio, whose only building in Uyo is uncompleted and being built with verifiable bank loans.

“The PDP categorically declared that the orchestrated investigation of Senator Akpabio is politically motivated and targeted at weakening the PDP for 2019 elections, by virtue of his being the face of opposition in the National Assembly.

Furthermore, Metuh said: “It is also part of the fight by the Presidency to weaken the legislature as an arm of government and prevent it from effectively carrying out its constitutional role of checks and balances in a democracy.

Reacting, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, dismissed the allegations by Metuh.

Adesina said ordinarily

he would not want to comment on such because they were comments coming from a political party and response are better from the APC leadership.

He, however, said it was untrue for the PDP National Publicity Secretary to claim that the President Buhari’s anti-corruption war was one-sided.

He said: “Mr. Olisa Metuh is sounding like a broken record. It’s the same thing that he says all the time. But let me assure Nigerians that the President has always maintained that even when it affects APC members, the person concerned must go and defend himself.”

Adesina wondered why the issue was not whether the people facing the EFCC actually committed the crime but the PDP national publicity secretary said it is one-sided.

“I think what is of interest to Nigerians is ‘did this people commit the crime?’ not whether it is one-sided,” he said.

Adesina further described the PDP as a party to be pitied, saying the opposition party has run out of ideas. He added that PDP was a broken recorded that needed to be discarded.

“The opposition seems to have run out of ideas so soon. Daily, we hear the same jaded, hackneyed allegations from them. I think they really are to be pitied. They need help.

“A broken record that repeats itself ceaselessly is of no use than to be thrown away”, he said.

Asset declaration trial: A’Court rules on Saraki today Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Court of Appeal Abuja division will today (Monday) decide the fate of Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki’s false assets declaration trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Senator Saraki had pleaded not guilty to the one count charge before the tribunal and went ahead to challenge the

trial through an appeal anchored on five grounds upon which his counsel said the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal had erred by arraigning him.

The appellate court presided by Justice Moore Adumein reserved the judgment last Friday after Joseph Daudu (SAN) who represented Senator Saraki and Rotimi Jacob (SAN) the Federal Government private prosecutor had ad-

dressed the court on the merit of their cases.

Justice Adumein, who heard the appeal alongside with two other justices, announced that the verdict would be delivered at 2pm today (October 19, 2015. He struck out Saraki’s application for a stay of proceedings of the trial at the Code of Conduct tribunal and explained that it was no longer necessary as the court had heard the substantive appeal.

Arguing the appeal, Daudu SAN, stated that the tribunal erred on five grounds by arraigning the Senate President, Senator Saraki, before a tribunal that lacks competence to try him by virtue of its composition.

He explained that the sitting of two members of the tribunal instead of three members as prescribed by the statute robbed the tribunal of its jurisdiction.

Counsel argued that the Code of Conduct Tribunal erred in law by proceeding with the trial with two members instead of mandatory three as provided by the constitution.

He said the sitting violated paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 constitution by sitting with two members instead of three and asked the court to nullify the CCT proceedings of last month due to lack of quorum.

Daudu also disagreed with Jacob that Interpretation Act should be applied to resolve the issue of quorum. Jacob had argued that the act which established the tribunal was silent on the number of judges that would form quorum for its sitting.

He insisted that the Interpretation Act cannot override the constitution being the supreme law and the Act being inferior to the constitution.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday October 19, 2015

Iran nuclear deal moves to new phase

13 Africa Guinea President, Conde wins second term

ÏÏÏGuinea's

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, third from left, attends a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, third from right, in Tehran, Oct. 17, 2015.

ÏÏÏ Iran and world powers in-

volved in nuclear talks reached a milestone Sunday that sets the stage for an eventual lifting of Tehran’s nuclear-related sanctions.

The two sides dubbed October 18 as Adoption Day – the day when the parties involved begin taking steps to carry out the provisions of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The date of next milestone – Implementation Day – has yet to

be determined. That is the day when Iran will begin receiving relief from crippling international sanctions because the provisions of the agreement have been met.

In recent days, Iranian officials have suggested the country could meet its requirements by year’s end. However, the Obama administration said it expects Iran will take months to live up to its end of the pact.

In a Saturday briefing, a senior U.S. administration official said

the date is not as important as making sure Iran lives up to its obligations before it receives any sanctions relief.

“Whether that takes two months, three months, four months or beyond is really up to the Iranians,” the official said.

“For us, it is important that it is done right, not that it is done quickly.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a finalized deal could have ramifications for years to

come.

“The Middle East remains a deeply troubled place, but every problem in the region would be made much worse if countries were to move towards nuclear weapons,” Kerry said in a speech at Indiana University last week.

“The Iran agreement is the best way to ensure that this possibility is foreclosed now and for all time,” he added.Iran has its work cut out for it as it begins implementing provisions in the deal.

Pope Francis canonises four new Saints

ÏÏÏPope

Francis, proclaiming four new Catholic saints who lived simple and generous lives, told priests and bishops on Sunday that service, and not careerism, was the way to exercise authority in the Church.

"Those who serve others and lack real prestige exercise genuine authority in the Church," he said at a Mass for about 65,000 people in St. Peter's Square.

"Service is the way for authority to be exercised in the Christian community," he said, adding that careerism, ambition, fame and worldly triumphs were "incompatible with Christian discipleship."

At the Mass, he proclaimed four new Roman Catholic saints,

including the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, the 19th century French nun who is one of Church's most venerated figures.

Their "outstanding humility and charity" was an example for all, he said.

The canonization of Louis Martin and Marie Azelie Guerin marked the first time a married couple were declared saints in the same ceremony and was held to coincide with a world gathering of bishops discussing ways to bolster family life.

They were chosen to highlight the key role parents play in the spiritual and human upbringing of their children.

Francis praised the couple for

practicing "Christian service in the family, creating day by day an environment of faith and love which nurtured the vocations of their daughters."

They had nine children, four of whom died in childbirth. The five surviving girls all became nuns, and one was St. Therese of Lisieux, who died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24.

Popularly known as "The Little Flower," the nun of the Carmelite order achieved a worldwide following with the publication after her death of The Story of a Soul, a collection of her thoughts on faith and simplicity.

Her writings influenced people as disparate as popes and Beat

Pope Francis

Generation author Jack Kerouac.

She was made a saint in 1925 and in 1944 Pope Pius XII proclaimed her the co-patroness of France along with Joan of Arc. Present at the ceremony were the teenage 13-year-old Italian boy and the Spanish girl who the Church believes miraculously recovered from incurable illnesses after praying to the Martins.

S’ Sudan rebel leader: President oblivious of peace deal ÏÏÏSouth Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar on Sunday accused the country's president of ignoring and undermining a peace deal aimed at ending nearly two years of civil war.

Speaking to reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Machar said violations of an internationally-brokered August 26 ceasefire had become commonplace. "Salva Kiir is acting

as if there are no agreements," he said.

"We see more violations every day rather than moving forward toward the implementation of the agreement."

Earlier this month Kiir ordered the number of regional states be nearly tripled from the current 10 to 28, rendering an agreed powersharing formula redundant.

International backers of the

deal, including Britain, Norway and the United States, said the move "directly contradicts" the government's commitment to the peace deal, while the European Union called on Juba to "refrain from proceeding" on the reform.

"The creation of 28 states means that he's oblivious to the peace agreement that was signed," Machar said.

"We'll dialogue with them even

though we don't think it's practical. We'll give it another go. We want to salvage the peace agreement," he added.

South Sudan descended into bloodshed in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar, whom he had sacked as his deputy six months previously, of planning a coup.

The violence has left tens of thousands of people dead.

President Alpha Conde has won a second term, the country's election commission has announced, six days after polling ended.

Conde won in the first round with about 58 percent of votes cast.

Main opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, who has denounced the vote as fraudulent, won 31 percent. On Saturday, Diallo vowed to organize demonstrations against what he called an "electoral holdup.'' International observers from the European Union said they had not seen fraud in the election. But they complained about a number of irregularities in the vote, such as delays in opening the polls and disorganized voter rolls, both of which caused long waits for voters. This was only the second democratic presidential election since Guinea gained independence from France in 1958. Conde became president in 2010 in the country's first democratic election after decades of fighting authoritarian regimes, during which he was sent into exile and prison.

Afghan forces recapture key highway

ÏÏÏAfghan Security forces have

yet again taken control of the Kabul-Kandahar highway and opened it for traffic. Taliban militants had closed it earlier on Friday, leaving hundreds of vehicles stuck and thousands of people stranded.

The highway siege came as the Taliban withdrew from the northern city of Kunduz after weeks of intense fighting against Afghan troops backed by US airstrikes.

The highway connects the major Afghan cities of Kabul and Kandahar to many parts of the country and its blockade badly hurts economic activities in Afghanistan.

In a week’s time, highway’s control went from the Afghan security forces to Taliban and back to the security forces several times.

While in control of the road, Taliban blew up some bridges and set up landmines along the way.

In interviews with VOA, Afghan security forces claim to have killed several dozen Taliban in their latest bid to recapture the control of the highway. The Kandahar police chief assured people that the forces are in full control of the road.

“The road is now open for people. Some of the bridges have been rebuilt. Ministry of Social Works and provincial government will work further on it,” said General Raziq, the police chief of Kandahar. Local residents are happy that security forces are finally in control of this major transit route.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Don’t factionalise Igwe’s throne in Jos, Ndigbo urged Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏIgbo in Plateau State have

been urged to unite and support the paramount ruler, Eze-Igbo in the state, Prof. Joseph E. C. Obilom, and desist from factionalising his throne.

The call was made by PresidentGeneral of Igbo Community Association in the state, Barr. Jonah Okey Ezekwueme, at the palace of the paramount ruler in Jos, the state capital, when he led a mobilised delegation of Igbo associations in the five south eastern states of the country and Delta State to the Igwe’s palace.

Ezekwueme told reporters that

the visit to the Eze Igbo’s palace was a show of solidarity to him for the good works he had been doing among Ndigbo in the state.

The occasion was the first of its kind in the history of the Ndigbo in Plateau State, organised as a mark of respect to the paramount leader, whom has distinguished himself in selfless service by ensuring the welfare of his people, especially in a volatile area witnessed by theatre of incessant crisis.

Ezekwueme said that the occasion was a mark of respect to the Igwe, and also to demonstrate and express their gratitude to a leader of whom they are proud of.

Said he: "Today, we have come

to pay homage to our royal father, a man that has done us proud. If he is not doing well, you will not see the kind of crowd you have witnessed here today. It is also in history that my administration as the President General, is the first to have done this."

Chief Ezekwueme, who will soon bow out as the President General said measures had been put in place to ensure a credible successor who will continue the good gesture.

He also called on those who are fractionalising the throne of the Igwe in Jos to desist from doing so, saying the Igbos in Jos have come out in their numbers to show

Kano to benefit from Irish experts in Agric, tech

President General of Igbo Community Association in Plateau State, Barr.

Chief Jonah Okey Ezekwueme (left) exchanging pleasantries with Eze-Igbo of Jos, Chief Prof.

Joseph E. C. Obilom, at the Igwe's palace during a courtesy visit, recently.

Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏThe governor of Kano State,

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed optimism that the state would benefit from the expertise of Irish professionals, especially with the present administration’s renewed focus on agriculture and technology.

The governor, who made the remark while receiving the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, said the government is interested in animal insemination and beef/milk management in view of its agricultural resources.

He noted that Ireland has a strong reputation in agricultural development and technology, which he maintained, could be of immense help to Kano state, especially as the state is striving towards self-sufficiency and less dependence on Federal capital allocations.

Ganduje also said the state government is keen in making Kano a skill-based economy, hence the need to work in partnership with countries like Ireland to promote technology and drive economic progression. On his part, the Irish Ambassador, Mr. Sean Hoy, disclosed that Nigeria was the location of Ireland's first Embassy in Africa and that his country continues to attach great importance to the bilateral relations between the two states.

Ganduje

solidarity to the only recognised crowned Igwe of whom they are well pleased.

In response, the Eze-Igbo, who is full of gratitude, showered his blessings on the people and prayed that the unity of purpose which radiates among his people will be sustained.

His words: "This is a special day for the Ndigbo in Jos. Today, they are paying homage to their Eze, as a mark of respect and love. You can see that my full cabinet and all chieftaincy title holders are all in attendance.” The Eze-Igbo prayed that the communal and incessant crisis that has engulfed the state will soon be a thing of the past.

Ex-education minister, Olaiya Oni, dies at 74 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe

erstwhile Minister of Education and pioneer Chairman of the defunct Labour Party (LP), in Ondo State, Chief Olaiya Oni, has died at the age of 74.

Chief Oni, died on Sunday at an undisclosed hospital in Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of the state after battling with an unconfirmed health problem.

Sources told Daily Times that the former Minister of Education had retired to his country-home in Ise Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area to take care of his health which has crippled him from practicing partisan politics.

Oni, who was appointed the Minister of Education in the regime of General Abdusalam Abubakar, played an active role in the debut of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State. He was appointed the Chairman of the party which oversee the defeat of the late former Governor, Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the year 2009.

Foundation provides 400 patients with free treatment in Ilorin Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏNo Police arrest fraudster who hacked Ondo Dep Gov's Account 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏA serial Internet fraudster,

Daniel Obasi, who specialised in hacking into the social media accounts of prominent government officials has been apprehended by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command.

Daniel, 35-year-old, was arrested at No 1. Zion Street, Port Harcourt, River State, by men of the State Security Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).

Commissioner of Police in the State, Mike Ogbodu, who disclosed this to journalists last weekend in Akure, said the arrested fraudster belong to a wanted syndicate and duped many unsuspecting government officials in the country using their social media account.

Ogbodu explained that among those whose social media account was hacked by the fraudster is the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, thereby using his wall pictures for imperson-

ation.

He explained that the syndicate is in the habit of hacking into the facebook account of their victims by creating another code in place of the owner’s original code.

“Thereafter, they would begin to relate with members of the public by impersonating the real owner”, he said.

Confessing, Obasi, said he is a businessman at the time of his arrest, noting that he had only realised the sum of N600, 000 since he began the fraudulent act.

The Police Commissioner also added that the command has foiled an attempt to rob the United Bank for Africa (UBA) on the Ado/Owo branch in Akure.

He revealed that his men at the bank surveillance squad discovered the long tunnel dug by suspected armed robbers in the city.

“The length of the tunnel dug from the perimeter fence of the bank into the bank premises was about 10 to 15 meters. The tunnel

was apparently prepared to serve as a passage to the bank premises to carry out their nefarious act without being noticed” Ogbodu said.

Items recovered from the scene are shovel, diggers and other tools used for the digging.

The Police also arrested two persons, Abdullahi Matt and Emmanuel Ezekwe, who are members of syndicate from Lagos State and alleged to have stolen 70 vehicle brain boxes of unsuspecting vehicle owners.

Also, six-man robbery gang arrested in Ore, alleged to have snatched a truck loaded with biscuits at gunpoint from Lagos State were also paraded before journalists. The gang; Celestine Okafor, Arinze Orji, Uche Sunday, Chibueze Waribe, Obi Ikechukwu and Kolawole Ipindemi, were apprehended where they had allegedly wanted to sell the stolen goods with the truck recovered with the loot.

fewer than 400 people have benefitted from the Waziri Sulu-Gambari Foundation (WSGF), free medical treatment aimed at improving the well-being of the less privileged in Kwara State.

The foundation further promised to continue in its strides to bridge the wide gap that exists between the rich and the poor, to further promote the peaceful coexistence and ideals as well as alleviate poverty among the citizens.

The founder of the NGO, Dr. Waziri Sulu-Gambari stated this during the foundation's annual free health care advocacy tagged: "Good Health Campaign 2015" in collaboration with JUHEL Pharmaceutical Nigeria limited held last weekend.

Speaking with journalists at the Ajikobi Cottage Hospital, venue of the event, Dr. Sulu-Gambari encouraged the people of the Ilorin community, especially the less privileged to use the opportunity to improve their health conditions.

He noted that the foundation has succeeded in providing free medical treatment to over 400 people, including the aged and pregnant women, as well as newly born babies. The event was attended by over 400 people.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

15 Opinion

Clark, the father, Jonathan, the son Reuben Abati

I

have tried delaying the writing of this piece in the honest expectation that someone probably misquoted Chief E.K. Clark, when he reportedly publicly disowned former President Goodluck Jonathan.

I had hoped that our dear father, E.K. Clark, would issue a counter statement and say the usual thing politicians say: “they quoted me out of context!” “Jonathan is my son”. That has not happened; rather, some other Ijaw voices, including one Joseph Evah, have come to the defence of the old man, to join hands in rubbishing a man they once defended to the hilt and used as a bargaining chip for the Ijaw interest in the larger Nigerian geo-politics.

If President Jonathan had returned to power on May 29, 2015, these same, persons would have remained in the corridors of power, displaying all forms of ethnic triumphalism. It is the reason in case they do not realise it, why the existent power blocs that consider themselves most fit to rule, continue to believe that those whose ancestors never ran empires can never be trusted with power, hence they can only be admitted as other people’s agents or as merchants of their own interests which may even be defined for them as is deemed convenient. Mercantilism may bring profit, but in power politics, it destroys integrity and compromises otherwise sacred values.

President Jonathan being publicly condemned by his own Ijaw brothers, particularly those who were once staunch supporters of his government further serves the purpose of exposing the limits of the politics of proximity. Politics in Africa is driven by this particular factor; it is at the root of all the other evils: prebendalism, clientelism and what Matthew Kukah has famously described as the “myownisation of power”. It is both positive and negative, but obviously, more

Jonathan of the latter than the former. It is considered positive only when it is beneficial to all parties concerned, and when the template changes, the ground shifts. As in that song, the solid rock of proximity is soon replaced by shifting sands. Old worship becomes new opportunism. In addition, the observant public is left confounded.

Chief E.K. Clark? Who would ever think, Chief E.K. Clark would publicly disown President Jonathan? He says Jonathan was a weak President. At what point did he come to that realization? Yet, throughout the five years (not six, please) of the Jonathan Presidency, he spoke loudly against anyone who opposed the President. He was so combative he was once quoted as suggesting that Nigeria could have problems if Jonathan was not allowed to return to office. Today, he is the one helping President Jonathan’s successor to quench the fires. He always openly said President Jonathan is “his son”. Today, he is not just turning against his own son, he is telling the world his son as President lacked the political will to fight corruption. He has also accused his son of being too much of a gentleman. Really?

Gentlemanliness would be considered honourable in refined circles.

Is Pa E.K. Clark recommending something else in order to prove that he is no longer a politician but a statesman as he says?

As someone who was a member of the Jonathan administration, and who interacted often with the old man, I can only say that I am shocked. This is the equivalent of the old man deleting President Jonathan’s phone number and ensuring that calls from his phone no longer ring at the Jonathan end.

During the Jonathan years, Chief E. K. Clark was arguably the most vocal Ijaw leader defending the government. He called the President “my son”, and both father and son remained in constant touch.

There is something about having the President’s ears in a Presiden-

Clark tial system, elevated to the level of a fetish in the clientilist Nigerian political system. Persons in the corridors of power, who have the President’s ear- be they cook, valet, inlaws, wife, cousin, former schoolmates, priests, or whatever, enjoy special privileges. They have access to the President and they can whisper into his ears. That’s all they have as power: the power to whisper and run a whispering campaign that can translate into opportunities or losses for those outside that informal power loop around every Presidency, that tends to be really influential.

Every President must beware of those persons who come around calling them “Daddy”, “Uncle”, na my brother dey there”, “my son”, “our in-law”: emotional blackmailers relying on old connections.

They are courted, patronised and given more attention and honour than they deserve. Even when the power and authority of the whispering exploiters of the politics of proximity is contrived, they go out of their way to exaggerate it. They acquire so much from being seen to be in a position to make things happen.

Chief E. K. Clark had the President’s ears. He was invited to most state events. In addition, he looked out for the man he called “my son”, in whom he was well pleased.

Chief Clark’s energy level in the service of the Jonathan administration was impressive. Fearless and outspoken, he deployed his enormous talents in the service of the Jonathan government. If a press statement was tame, he drew attention to it and urged a more robust defence of “your boss”. If any invective from the APC was overlooked, he urged prompt rebuttal.

If the party was tardy in defending “his son”, he weighed in.

If anyone had accused the President of lacking “the political will to fight corruption” at that time, he, E.K. Clark, would have called a press conference to draw attention to the Jonathan administration’s

institutional reforms and preventive measures, his commitment to electoral integrity to check political corruption, and the hundreds of convictions secured by both the ICPC and EFCC under his son’s watch. So prominent and influential was he, that ministers, political jobbers trooped to his house to pay homage.

In due course, those who opposed President Jonathan did not spare Chief E. K. Clark either. He was accused of making inflammatory statements. An old war-horse, nobody could intimidate him.

He was not President Olusegun Obasanjo’s fan in particular. He believed Obasanjo wanted to sabotage his son, and he wanted Obasanjo put in his place. Beneath all of that, was an unmistaken rivalry between the two old men, seeking to control the levers of Nigerian politics.

Every President probably needs a strong, passionate ally like Chief E. K. Clark. However, what happened? What went wrong? Do not get me wrong. I am not necessarily saying that the Ijaw leader should have remained loyal to and defend Goodluck Jonathan because they are both Ijaws, patriotism definitely could be stronger than ethnic affinities, nonetheless that E. K. Clark tale about leaving politics and becoming a statesman is nothing but sheer crap. If Jonathan had returned to office, he would still be a card-carrying member of the PDP and the “father of the President” and we would still have been hearing that famous phrase, “my son”. Chief E. K. Clark, five months after, has practically told the world that President Buhari is better than “his own son” is.

It is the worst form of humiliation that President Jonathan has received since he left office. It is also the finest compliment that President Buhari has received since he assumed office. The timing is also auspicious: just when the public is beginning to worry about the direction of the Buhari

government, E. K. Clark shows up to lend a hand of support and endorsement. Only one phrase was missing in his statement, and it should have been added: “my son, Buhari.” It probably will not be too long before we hear the old man saying, “I am a statesman, Buhari is my son.” I can imagine Obasanjo grinning with delight.

If he really wants to be kind, he could invite E.K. Clark to his home in Ota to do the needful by publicly tearing his PDP membership card.

The only problem with that club is that you can become a member by just saying so or by retiring from partisan politics. We are more or less being told that there are no statesmen in any of the political parties.

It is not funny. Julius Ceasar asked Brutus in one of the famous lines: “Et tu Brutus?” President Jonathan should ask Chief E. K. Clark: “Et tu Papa?” To which the father will probably tell the son: “Ces’t la vie, Mon Cher garcon.” In addition, really, that is life. In the face of other considerations, loyalties vanish; synergies collapse. The wisdom of the tribe is overturned; the politics of proximity dissolves; loyalties remain in a perpetual process of construction.

These are teachable moments for President Jonathan. Power attracts men and women like bees to nectar, the state of powerlessness ends as a journey to the island of loneliness.

However, the greatest defender of our work in office is not our ethnic “fathers and “brothers” but rather our legacy. The real loss is that President Jonathan’s heroism, his messianic sacrifice in the face of defeat, is being swept under the carpet and his own brothers who used to say that the Ijaws are driven by a principle of “one for all and all for another”, have become agent-architects of his pain. The Ijaw platform having seemingly been de-centred, Chief E.K. Clark and others are seeking assimilation in the new power structure.

Chief E.K. Clark once defended the rights of ethnic minorities to aspire to the highest offices in the land, his latest declaration about his son reaffirms the existing stereotype at the heart of Nigeria’s hegemonic politics. The same hegemons and their agents whom Clark used to fight will no doubt find him eminently quotable now that he has proclaimed that it is wrong to be a “gentleman”, and that his son lacks “the political will to fight corruption”. There is more to this than we may ever know. Chief Clark can insist from now until 2019, that he has spoken as a statesman and as a matter of principle. His re-alignment is curious nonetheless.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Business Times Æ s

17

Senate summons Custom’s CG over rice importation The Senate has summoned the Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), to appear and brief it on issues surrounding the removal of rice from the import restriction through the land border.

It directed that Ali should interact with its Ad hoc Committee on Import Duty Waiver.

The decision to invite the Customs boss followed a motion by Senator Adamu Aliero (APC- Kebbi Central), which was supported by 32 other senators.

Moving the motion, Aliero expressed concern about the “unilateral and unexpected” decision of the comptroller-general to reopen the country’s land borders to rice importers.

He said the action would reverse the gains recorded in rice production in the country.

According to Aliero, the decision would halt the rice revolution and discourage further investment in rice farming and agro-allied industries.

He added that the decision of the Customs to liberalise the importation of rice to the extent of lifting the ban on land importation of the commodity, would escalate rice smuggling.

“Nigeria is presently the largest importer of rice in the world,” he said, regretting that this was in spite of 15 new rice mills established across the country by private investors between 2010 and 2015.

The senator said the mills, besides striving to provide the commodity to the people, had provided employment to many Nigerians.

After a debate on the motion, which many senators supported, the matter was referred to the Committee on Import Duty Waiver.

President of the Senate Bukola Saraki decried the rate of illegal activities at the nation’s borders.

He said the motion was timely, given the need to reposition the economy to give investors the confidence to invest in the country.

The Senate president directed that the committee had two weeks to investigate the matter and submit its report.

Bags of rice

From left: Mr. Ola Olabinjo, Executive Director, Heritage Bank, (left) presenting cash prize award for outstanding performance to Miss. Onwura Onyinye Chima in Lagos recently.

FG begins probe of NIMASA, NNPC, NPA over dollar revenue Stories by Funmi Coker The Federal Government has uncovered agencies which pay it in naira after collecting revenue in dollar.

It has launched a probe into the agencies’ “fraudulent activities”, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade told reporters after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

NEC comprises the vice president as chairman; the 36 state governors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor are members.

Some of the agencies, Ayade said, were the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Ayade, who was with Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba), said Godwin Emefiele informed NEC of

the development.

Ayade said investigations were ongoing.

He said, “A brief report on the Federal Government agencies remiting dollar revenue in naira into the Federation account was also given by the CBN governor.

“He said investigations are ongoing. Such agencies include but not limited to NNPC, NIMASA and NPA.” Ayade said the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary briefed the council on the excess crude account, which he put at $2.25 billion as at October 15.

On the grant of provisional loans to states based on collaterisation of the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the governor said: “The CBN governor briefed that 27 states have made request for the N10 billion facility and it is currently being processed.

“He has called on the affected states to complete all necessary documentation for the money.”

According to Ayade, not all states had indicated interest in

the ECA collaterised loan.

The vice president, he said, also briefed council on the detail of the refund on excess expenses incurred by states.

All the states that have followed the right procedure and due process in incurring expenses, he said, were being processed for refund.

Ayade said there was an update on states affected by flooding, adding that the vice president confirmed that the government is doing everything to assist them.

Mimiko said the bail out funds would not be enough for states to settle salary arrears.

According to him, there is no plan to divert the bailout fund for other purposes.

On flooding, Mimiko said: “The detail was not discussed as per what individual states should be doing. But there is no question about the fact that individual states are customising their responses depending on the level and implication of the flood that has been experienced.

“What council discussed was the mechanism whereby the Federal Government will come up with a holistic assistance.

“We have not discussed the detail; the detail may be discussed at the next meeting but it does not mean that the states are not intervening to mitigate the disaster.”

Tambuwal said his state would relocate some of its flood-ravaged communities.

He said, “In any case, the Federal Government is working hand in hand with the states in ensuring that this challenge is actually addressed.

For example, I am sure the Federal Government will use the instrumentality of ecological fund to support states as has been the case in the past.

“In Sokoto State, we are planning to come up with the strategy of harvesting the water, treating and establishing some new dams that will serve as proactive measures that will prevent the flooding from continuing in the years to come.”

Business News18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Cadbury Nigeria boosts production capacity with N10b Ï ommissions new ultra-modern plant

Naaman

Charles Okonji

Dunoma

FAAN to commence construction of Abuja second runway Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr.

Saleh Dunoma has assured of the authority’s interest efforts to kick start a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He stated this during a recent interview with newsman in Lagos.

According to him, a second runway is very important because it is key to our operations.

He stated that due to increase in passenger and airline movement at the airport, the construction of a second runway would further prevent the deterioration of the existing runway. He envisioned that given the present rate of growth in the industry, the existing runway may not effectively sustain the traffic.

He further explained that a committee has been set up between the authority and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to determine what the runway would look like in terms of the facilities that should be included in the runway design.

Dunoma also said that a survey to determine the location of the

second runway at the airport has been carried out so that the new facilities to be provided would work smoothly with the existing facility.

The controversial Abuja airport second runway contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and later cancelled by the Federal Government following the dubious sum of N64b for the construction.

The ministry of aviation was then asked to re-advertise it and ensure that due process is followed in the bidding process.

Stakeholders have criticized the construction of only runway for the said amount arguing how much it will cost to build a complete airport.

The House of Representatives then ordered the federal ministry of Aviation to suspend further works on the N63.5 billion second Abuja Airport runway project pending the completion of its investigation into matter.

The House also resolved to invite officials of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to come and assess the contract and brief it on its propriety and cost effectiveness.

The outcry led to the cancellation of the then Abuja second runway.

In its efforts towards enhancing profitability, Cadbury Nigeria Plc invested a whooping sum of N10 billion on a new manufacturing plant to meet surging demand for its prime product.

The commissioning of this new ultra-modern manufacturing plant which the management believed would turn around the profitability of the company was done over the weekend.

Mr. Roy Naaman, managing director/chief executive officer, Cadbury Nigeria, stated that the new plant will boost production capacity by nearly 37 per cent to meet surging demand for Nigeria’s favorite food-drink, Bournvita.

He said; “Our investment in this plant reflects the company’s confidence in the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy and commitment to the development of Lagos State as our host community. It is this level of support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government and the availability of a talented workforce that led to the decision to build this state-of-theart plant.”

He noted that this year marks 50 years of the company’s exis-

SERAs honours Dangote as Nigeria’s biggest investor Friday Atufe The organisers of the Social Enterprise Report and Awards (SERAs) has nominated international business mogul, serial entrepreneur and one of the world’s richest men Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group to receive The CSR & Sustainability Man of the Year award.

The organisers said in a statement that the award “is being awarded to him for being the single highest investor in corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Nigeria within the year under review. These investments were deemed to have had

tence in Nigeria, adding that the company remains committed to making high-quality products that brings delicious moments of joy to millions of people, all within a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

In his keynote address, the executive vice president, ISC Global, Mondelez International, Mr. Daniel Myers said that the company has been a publicly quoted in Nigeria since 1976 with shares traded locally on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

In his address, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Adebule stated that the factory is important in

boosting Lagos economy, adding that Lagos remain the most attractive location politically and economically for such investment in Africa.

“As a state we appreciate the challenges face by manufacturing companies especially as it concern power generation and competing with other brands who simply import and sell products at lower prices. We look forward for favorable pronouncement to correct the situation in the near future,” she said.

According to her, the key to sustainable growth and the economic prosperity for a nation is dependent upon manufacturing, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to remain a briefcase economy.

far reaching and positive impacts on the lives of millions of Nigerians.”

Also being honoured is Senator Ben Murray-Bruce for his advocacy in the area of renewable energy and public campaigns against wastage of resources and corruption in high places using the platform of ‘common-sense’ media campaigns. He is the first elected member of the national assembly to openly speak against impunity while promoting responsible governance.

The statement said “Governor Ayade is being recognised for his well-documented works on the environment as chairman of the international institute of environmental research.”

He has also worked on ground water remediation in Nigeria and invented a sewage treatment plant based on solar energy and also won an award from the Japanese government for outstanding research into global warming.

Co-founder of Transparency International and former minister for education, and former vice president of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili, would deliver the

keynote speech.

The award that is Nigeria’s top CSR and sustainability honour enters its ninth year. The awards process is designed to integrate principles and framework of the Global compact, global reporting Initiative and ISO 26000.

The organisers have also released the list of final nominees for the 17 award categories on the project website www.sera-ng.com To date the SERAs, which began in 2007, has registered more than 520 applications from 92 organisations from 13 different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Dangote

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

NASD awaits listing of 173 companies

Forte Oil posts N4bn profit in Q3 Forte Oil Plc has posted profit after tax of N4.285 billion for the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2015.

The result released to the Nigerian Stock Exchanges showed an increased of seven per cent from N4.016 billion in 2014, while its basic earnings per share stood at N2.59, above N2.04 recorded in prior nine-month results.

On the other hand, gross earnings for the period declined by 25.3 per cent to N91.616 billion from N122.581 billion reported in the June 2014.

InvestmentOne research analysts explained that mixed performance in key parameters improved Forte’s margins.

The company stated that lower operating expenses/revenue that recorded a decline of 367 basis points and 58.4 per cent decline in finance cost as well as 29.5 per cent rise in other income combined help Forte Oil to deliver an overall improvement in margins.

“In the past three quarters, Forte’s numbers have showed declining benefits from its power generation business, which has weighed down the group’s total revenue.”

“We note however that the company has begun an overhaul, to achieve 100 per cent capacity utilisation in its Gerugu Power plant by first quarter 2016, which should be supportive of earnings in the medium term.”

“We also highlight its recently completed deal with Mercuria Energy Holdings. The South Africa based oil company acquired a 17 per cent stake in Forte Oil for $200 million.”

“Forte Oil plans to use the equity to support working capital as well as expand its downstream, upstream and power generation businesses.”

Furthermore, the company reiterated that companies in the space with upstream exposure like Seplat, Oando and Forte Oil are better positioned relative to their peers to deliver on margin growth post Petroleum Independent Bill (PIB).”

19 Capital Market

Kurfi, MD, APT Securities and Funds

Stock Market Recovery in Q4 remains uncertain Stories by Charles Okonji With the unprecedented challenges confronting the Nigerian the economy which are likely to persist for some time, stock market analysts have expressed fears over possible recovery of the capital market during the last quarter of the year, 2015.

The country’s capital market has witnessed extraordinary lull due to unstable forex and macroeconomic performance, even as foreign portfolio flows to emerging markets have turned depressing.

The stock market which ended third quarter (Q3), 2015 on the negative note with 6.69 per cent, while in second quarter (Q2), stock market rose by 5.39, but it lost 8.40 per cent in the first quarter (Q1). So far in the year, stock market has lost 13.92 per cent.

It would be recalled the stock market ended 2014 as one of the worst performing exchanges with a decline of 20.67 per cent.

Mallam Garba Kurfi, managing director, APT Securities and Funds, stated that the lull in the market would persist due to government’s inability to release its economic blueprint.

He lamented that the market lost N500 billion in Q3, stressing that the trend would continue in the Q4 with the non-release of government economic policy, explaining that operators were disappointed with the ministerial list released by the government.

He said; “We have not seen any economist in the list that can suggest to the government, ways to improve revenue generation and

how to run the economy. That is why the market did not react to the list released.’’

Kurfi noted that the economy needed incentives to stimulate job creation with the dwindling revenue generation induced by fall in crude oil price at the global market.

Mr. David Adonri, managing director, High Cap Securities Limited, said “Based on what has been released, the market is not impressed. We are seriously worried in the market that the bear run has not been reversed so far. For the past two quarters, the GDP had been on a decline, but we thought that some other things could be done by the government to restore investors’ confidence.”

Mr. Okechukwu Unegbu who was the former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), stated that the capital market would continue to nosedive because of over dependence on foreign investors’ cash and dependence on policies introduced by regulators.

He explained that the foreign exchange risk would continue to discourage foreign investors from investing in the nation’s bourse.

Also, Adebayo Adeleke, general secretary, Independence Shareholders Association of Nigeria, doubts the possibility of Q4 becoming better than the last three quarters, stressing that with stock market year to date decline of 13.92 per cent, it is only the last quarter recovery that could help to moderate the significant losses already suffered by the stock market this year.

The National Association of Securities Dealer (NASD) Plc has said that 173 companies are eligible to be listed and to trade on the floor of the NSE, which it said would boost the numbers of companies listed on the platform.

Managing Director of NASD OTC Plc, Bola Ajomale disclosed this to the media at the CEO Interactive Session one, in Lagos.

Ajomale noted that 173 companies are eligible to come into the market through the plat form, while 300 others have indicated interest but not yet registered with the regulatory authorities.

According to him, there are about 173 companies that are eligible to list on the market and they will be brought to the market by the regulators as time goes on.

He noted that 23 securities are currently trading with market capitalization of N526 billion, stating that 63 per cent of admitted securities are profit making.

He added that the CEO Interactive forum will be quarter and to enable market participants to brainstorm, identify the issues and opportunities in the market.

“We identify the issues in the market, sit together interact with the issuers whose shares are traded as well as the apex regulator. The regulators are have been very responsive in coming out with rules and policies that should allow for best practice,” he said.

He maintained that the platform has created liquidity for investors of some public companies that are not listed on the NSE by trading their shares on the platform with transparency and safety, and without price restrictions.

Commenting on the limitations of the market, he pointed out, registrars claiming one per cent of share value for demateralisation, poor transparency in pricing, fix trading requirements among others.

He added that the rules have been submitted to Securities and Exchange Commission on market making for approval, saying that the registration process has been developed and three firms have indicated and showed interest.

NSE lists Omatek, Evans Medial, 7 others as delinquent filers The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has listed Omatek Ventures Plc and Evan Medical Plc as delinquent audited report and accounts filers in its latest X-compliance report.

Others in the list are Deap Capital Management & Trust, DN Tyre & Rubber, Great Nigeria Insurance and International Energy Insurance, Lennards Nigeria, Premier Breweries, and Costain.

Investigations by Daily Times have revealed that the above companies failed to file their audited accounts since 2013.

Particularly, International Energy Insurance and Omatek Ventures Plc are yet to submit audited financial statements of December 2013, while Lennards, and Deap Capital have not file their September, 2013 financial statement to the market regulator.

X-Compliance report is a transparency initiative of The Exchange which is designed to maintain market integrity and protect the investors by providing compliance related information on all listed companies.

NSE stated that “Companies that are listed on the Exchange are required to adhere to high

disclosure standards which are prescribed in Appendix 111 of the Listing Rules. Financial information which is periodic disclosure and on-going material events disclosure should be released to The Exchange in a timely manner to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market.”

Market analysts have said the non-disclosure of latest accounts signal investors profittaking in their share prices, leaving it at par value, 50 kobo.

Data from the NSE reveals that Omatek ventures Plc, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc and International Energy Insurance Plc closed last week trading activities at N0.50 per share.

Mr. Oscar Onyema, the chief executive officer, NSE had earlier stated that for the nation’s capital market to realize its potential, a strong regulatory framework is critical.

According to Onyema, the world had woken to the reality that its fastest-growing markets were emerging from Africa, explained that entrenching corporate governance has been the first step taken in 2011 to transform the Exchange.

Money 20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

UBA boss attributes improved performance to unique Pan African platform Stories by Desola Akindele Pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday, released its 9 months unaudited financial results for 2015 showing a strong 44% rise in profit after tax to N48.6 billion and a 17% rise in gross earnings to N247.2 billion.

The third quarter results also show Net Operating Income (NOI) recorded a strong 21% growth to N167.4 billion. The cost to income ratio remained within management’s guidance of 65%, compared to 68.7% in the corresponding period of 2014, as UBA continued to focus on improving operational efficiencies to deliver superior return to its shareholders.

In other indices, UBA closed the third quarter with total assets of N2.87 trillion, loan book of

Oduoza

N1.01 trillion and a deposit base of N2.18 trillion.

“We have continued to sustain our financial performance in 2015, leveraging our unique panAfrican platform and the strength of our committed work force in gaining competitive edge in the market place” said Phillips Oduoza, the Group Managing Director/ CEO, UBA Plc. He also attributed the impressive performance of the Bank to enhanced balance sheet efficiency and improving extraction of value from the Bank’s channels. “We have also maintained our discipline on how, where and with whom we do business and I am happy with the results, as reflected in our earnings and asset quality” said Oduoza.

In the period under review, UBA maintained a Non-Performing Loan ratio of 2.1% and 0.6% cost of risk. These ratios are

amongst the lowest in the banking industry.

Highlighting some of the significant achievements in the third quarter, the Bank’s GMD/CEO disclosed that UBA led a consortium of local banks to facilitate a USD1.2 billion syndicated facility for the National Oil Company in Nigeria, NNPC. Further reflecting the strength of the Bank, Global Credit Rating (GCR) affirmed UBA’s AA- (LCY) and BB(FCY) credit ratings.

Also speaking on the results, the Group CFO, Ugo Nwaghodoh noted that the Bank’s entrepreneurial persistence continues to yield results as the Group increasingly extracts synergy opportunities across its African network.

“Our business in Africa, excluding Nigeria, contributed a quarter of our profit after tax in the period; a resounding benefit of our geographic diversification” said Nwaghodoh.

He assured that the Bank is encouraged by the improving performance metrics, assuring “we will not relent on our commitment to achieving desired scale, size and profitability in all our chosen markets.”

Falling oil price: PENGASSAN petitions FG over plan to sack 20 % of ADDAX’s Nigerian workforce Continued from page 6 The union observed that, “What the management has refused to admit to is that the Jonathan-led Administration had, prior to exiting office, resolved the side letter issues the company had been faced with and in addition to this, the Buhari-led Government approved lifting of crude for the company, all in a bid to protect the Nigerian Workforce. It its eight years of operations, the company has only missed two months of crude lifting, making huge gains when the oil prices were at an alltime high of over a $100 yet, they adduce that failing oil prices is a major part of the reasons they must sack Nigerians.”

The Union alleged that what the management is trying to hide is that if there are any issues with the company, it is only due to acts of gross mismanagement on their part, adding that this mismanagement comes in three parts: • Colluding with a certain contractor who was very influential under the last administration to plunder the country through over bloated contracts, sometimes paying as high as a 35% mark up on contracts already awarded to other companies but forced into an alliance with this contractor, making advance payments for projects that have either been suspended or have not been approved at the NNPC Board • Funding the extravagant life-

style of the Managing Director and the other Expatriates who earn their salaries in foreign currency and still earn a naira denominated weekend allowance, sometimes to the tune of over NGN 1million per weekend. The Managing Director for instance lives in a 9 bedroom mansion even though he is the only person who lives in the said property. The rent of the property is valued at over NGN 40 million per annum.

In addition to this, a private jetty was built for him, at the cost of about NGN 30 million, a jetty that he is yet to use in the three years since it was built. He has continued to incur costs on extravagant living, hiring and holding chattered flights which have insensitively continued even in the wake of prevailing ‘dire’ times. Sometimes, such chattered flights are held in wait for him with local flights costing as much as NGN 2 million per trip. It would not be out of place to wonder if any Nigerian can live this type of luxurious life in Netherlands.

• Heavy Back Charges of the Geneva Office to the Nigerian Business because even though the resources are owned by Nigeria, the overhead of the Geneva Office is charged to Nigeria where cost recoveries are done under the Production Sharing Agreement with the NNPC. The union said “It is for these reasons that the Union of Addax Petroleum under the aegis of the Petroleum and National Gas Se-

nior Staff Association of Nigeria has asked its management to further engage them and prove beyond reasonable doubts that employee costs are truly a burden to the company. The union has stated several times that it is the mismanagement that is the issue and they have asked that the Management should lead by example by all resigning for a profound show of failure in the jobs they were hired to do which is to manage this business entity.”

Some of the questions that the union has asked the management include the following: • That the management should present the percentage of employees costs in comparison to the cost of operations. In specifics, the Management should present employee costs in terms of dollar per barrel.

• They have also asked that the management should provide the total employee costs over the entire OPEX. Is it up to 10%? If it isn’t why then are they adamant on sacking people.

• The union has also asked what percentage of the Geneva Office cost on the total employees is?

How do we continue to deal with the high costs from Geneva when the oil comes from Nigeria. Of what use is a Geneva office when the work is done in Nigeria?

The union said the management has refused to answer these questions, even though the answers are very clear and easy to come to. The reason they cannot

answer is that there are no real grounds for the acts that Management wants to perpetrate in ensuring that more Nigerians are led to the employment queues at this time.

The union has continued to seek engagement with the management through its Human Resources office who have in addition to threatening the staff to either take their weak ‘severance package’ or face a forced redundancy, has written to each employee that their salaries would be unpaid, thereby escalating an Industrial Relations breakdown, to individual sanctions, an act that shows their gross disrespect to the PENGASSAN Association.

The association said it seemed indeed that the die is cast as the management, in spite of directives from NAPIMS to ensure that no jobs are lost have decided to throw caution into the wind and are resolute in ensuring that Nigerian livelihoods are destroyed.

It added that it remained to be seen which way this case would end, remarking that “would the Nigerian Government stand by and allow the foreigners to cheat Nigerians on Nigerian soil in what has often been regarded as the most regulated industry the country has? Would PENGASSAN allow its members to be victimised. The die is cast, this is definitely a case to follow.”

Responding to our enquiries on the unfolding development, General Manager, External and

Government Affairs of ADDAX Petroleum, Mrs. Dorothy Atake said in an e-mail statement that the strategic organizational realignment was informed by the reality of the falling oil price a development which has prompted “action by all Exploration & Production players in the oil & gas industry. There is no exception to this and Addax Petroleum is taking appropriate measures to align ourselves to the realities of the market.”

“Every aspect of improved resource management affecting our bottom-line, directly or indirectly, has been considered in all our operating entities. Material decisions have been made on our core business operations focusing on cost reduction,” she said.

Atake noted that, “As part of the transformation of our business, Addax Petroleum is taking incremental steps to reach sustainability goals which will result in the reduction of a number of positions within the organisation in the short-term.”

She said, “We have informed our employees and are supporting them in this process. We are also committed to working in close collaboration with all our stakeholders and all regulatory authorities throughout the process. The transformation of our business aims to achieve a stronger, more resilient entity.

Going forward, we will continue to monitor our progress against challenges and goals.”

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

21

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(LAGOS) IFEANYI - 08086296714 (ABUJA) FEMI - 08033550468

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

Public Notice 22 THE LIVINGSPRING DELIVERANCE MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Pastor Gabriel Ekaba- Parish Head 3. Evang. Henry Okonkwo 5. Mr. Jonathan Ashiuman

2. Evang. Felicia Ekaba.

4. Deaconess Adaeze Uche - Secretary 6. Mr. Godwin Ekaba

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the gospel of Christ all over the world.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: Odumosu Damilola Esq. Olasubomi Odumosu & Co Tel No. 08086067082

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

OGALIHU-UMU-NGWA ASSOCIATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chidiebere Ajuzie Nwaoha - President 2. Innocent Enyinnaya Onyekwere - General Secretary 3. Francis Eze Ugwunna - Member 4. John Melatonu Ohia - Member 5. Anthony Asoha - Member 6. Emmanuel Ikpeze - Member 7. Allison O. Allison - Member 8. Peter Nwankpa- Member 9. Godday Marcus Enyinnaya Ajagha - Member AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To unite all sons and daughters of Ngwa under the umbrella of Ogalihu-Umu-Ngwa association.

2. To foster peace, unity and progress among members.

3. To help members morally, financially, socially and otherwise as applicable to a particular case.

4. To settle differences that may arise among members 5. To ensure the highest standard of conduct of it’s members and to maintain discipline.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: ENYINNAYA .I. ONYEKWERE GENERAL SECRETARY

GREATER CONQUERORS DIVINE MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above-name organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Joseph A. Akharume - Chairman 2. Kay A. Akharume - Secretary 3. Chinyerenma A. Nwakanma- Member Aims and Objectives: 1. To proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world.

2. To support the needy and the underprivileged.

3. To foster peace, love and unity amongst members.

4. To establish Schools, Bible and Religious Institutions to bring sanity and good morale with fear of God into the lives of our youths and the society.

5. To train, ordain and license ministers for the work of the Gospel.

6. To print, publish, and distribute Religious literatures.

7. To establish charitable and communal organization for helping the society and the needy.

8. To own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of real property or chattel as may be needed in furtherance of its objectives.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days.

Signed: Emmanuel A. Ajayi Esq. (Counsel)

ORI OKE SIONI MINISTRY

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ETERNAL SALVATION MINISTRY

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named outreach has

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has

applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part

applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part

“C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990

C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990.

Trustees

The Trustees Are:

1. Feyisola Idowu-Olowu.

1. Dr Evang Lanre Teriba

2. Rev. Peter Cunity Nganje

2. Barr (Mrs) Bukola Aduragbemi Teriba.

FIVE-SEVENTEEN RESCUE OUTREACH

The Trustees Are: (1). Pastor John Philips E.Ozoemenam - G.O. (2) Mrs Evyline Ijeoma Ozoemenam - Mummy G.O. (3) Chidiebere Christian Ozoemenam - Secretary (4) Chidima Rosemary Ozoemenam.

(5) Pastor. Adekunle Olususi.

3. Pastor Ralph Segun Dada.

Aims And Objectives AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To reach out to the lost souls.

2. To encourage and promote the worship Of God.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar Gen-

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-

eral Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi

General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off

Street, Maitama, and Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Babafemi Lucy (lawyer)

MOUNT HARVEST TIME HEALING MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Missionary (Dr.) Emmanuel O. Odebode - (President) 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Stella A. Odebode - (Treasurer) 3. Pastor Z. Afolabi - (Welfare) 4. Sis Wisdom Odebode - (Secretary) 5. Lady Evang. Iseyemi - (Exco Member) 6. Pastor T. Obisanya - (Exco Member)

Signed: Trustees.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SOLICITORS - Seun Adeyeye & Co. ( Babawumi Chambers)

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

ROYAL LINK EVANGELICAL MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part”C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Daniel Ibiloma Adejo - Chairman 3. Victoria Chituru Baiye – Member 5. Patrick Ossai – Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To extend the kingdom of god by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, most especially to heal sick marriages.

2. To seek and save the lost via evangelism, crusades, mission school and various love works.

3. To deliver marriage destinies from the enemies as we obey the Holy Spirit’s teachings and instructions.

4. To open the people’s eyes to their kingdom rights in this world.

Aims And Objectives To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Vivienne Uchenna Adejo – Member 4. Michelle Eseoghene Ebi - Member

Aims and Objectives are: 1. Carry out the Great Commission (Mark 16:15) – Make Disciples of all nations 2. Care for the needy through support and development of orphanages and homes for the old and people who are challenged (Matthew 25: 35-36) 3. To empower men and women spiritually; and lay foundation for professional empowerment through the development of schools and institutions (Matthew 28:19-20) Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28days of this Publication.

SIGNED: SOLICITORS - Seun Adeyeye & Co. (Babawumi Chambers)

This is to inform the general public of the Loss of Certificate Occupancy (C of O) of a property situated at No 66 Osunba Street, Ikotun - Igando, Lagos, registered as 87/87/1991L at the Lagos Land Registry, Lagos, belonging to Mr. Bashiru Olatunji Muritala of No 66 Osunba Street IkotunIgando, Lagos State. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive.

COMMUNITY HEALTH & ADVOCACY INITIATIVE (CHAIN)

AFRICA ROCK OF SALVATION MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has ap-

The Trustees: 1. Mr. Adediji Solomon – President 2. Mr. Akinside Babatunde – Vice President 3. Mrs. Salako-Olukemi Temitope – Secretary 4. Mr. Adetunji Adedotun Habeeb -Treasurer / Financial Secretary 5. Mr. Fagbola Olasoji Oluseyi - Public Relation Officer

The Trustees: 1. Juliana Ngozi Iregbu-Ihejirika 3. Collins Okeke 5. Grace Ketefe 7. Augustine Ejike Okpe

TRINITY HOME OJOO STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To encourage and foster the interest of the old students in the present day activities and aspirations of the school.

2. Tom make some contribution in the sphere of education by giving help primarily to the school and also to the community in general.

3. To help old students maintain the ties of friendship.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Mr. ADEDIJI SOLOMON 1, Trinity Home Hostel, Abatakan Area Sasa, Ojoo, Ibadan Oyo.

ABEOKUTA GOAT BUTCHERS ASSOCIATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr Shakiru Bello,

2.Mr Monsuru Adesanya,

3. Mr Akinyemi Fatai,

4. Mr Moses Adeshina,

5.Mr Monsuru Akanbi

6. Mr Akeem Shitu.

2. Ugochi Mercy Okpe 4. Dr. Aminu Magasi Garba 6. Evans Nwabueze Ihejirika

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; 1. Improve access to comprehensive quality health care services.

2. Ensure the availability of well functioning health systems that ensures equitable access to essential medical product, vaccines and technologies of assured quality , safety , efficiency and cost effectiveness , and their scientifically sound and cost effective use.

3. Improve accountability and transparency of health care systems and health financing in Nigeria through monitoring and improved participation improvements in health financing strategy.

4. Ensure effective, safe, quality personal and non-personal health interventions to those that need them, when and where to those that need them, when and where needed with minimum resources.

5. Enhance awareness and access to information on health.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: BARR. EJIKE OKPE

plied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Yeotan King Kayode 2. Yeotan Peterson Teletha 3. Akinmodiro Olasunkanmi Okanlawon.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

LEO KAREEM FOUNDATION

FIRST CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Odumade Japhet Olufemi - Chairman 2. Awofiranye Olubukonla Ifebamowo - Sec /Legal Adviser 3. Ndoma Odey Ndoma - Treasurer 4. Garba Abdulkkkareem Adewunmi 5. Dr Charles Obi (Jp)

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Davis Linzy Grant

2. Leo Kareem - (Chairman)

3. Leo Eni Sarah

4. Balogun Mark

5. Obbbbiego Uche Michael

6. Nwadike Emeka

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To ensure government attention to rural areas

To promote welfare and unity of members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

To undertake projects that will promote and alleviate the suffering and challenges of the less privilege children in our society Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Chairman

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Abuja agency threatens to down tools over N4b debt

Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Experts working with the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency (AEPA), told Daily Times that terrible epidemic may hit Abuja city centre in no distant time, should the sewer/manhole service company (SCC Nig. Ltd) happen to embark on indefinite strike over unpaid N4billion.

Our source has blamed the unfortunate situation on the present leadership on its inability to pay the backlog of N4billion to keep the company in service.

According to the senior staff of the Abuja Environ-

mental Protection Agency, similar incident in the past kept Julius Berger Nigeria PLC out of the contract of maintaining the manholes to avoid blockages.

While speaking in an exclusive interview, he noted that should any attempt be made by the Permanent Secretary to overlook the threats of the company, that such would spell doom since Abuja is such a city, built with only one central manhole circuit, which if blocked would amount to gushing out of human escrater within 72 hours.

His words: “Yes we have this reports and also the company have approached our management, but we are financially handi-

GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Kevin Ozoemena Ibe 2. Onyekachi Kingsley Ugochukwu 3. Adaobi Mojekwu 4. Haruna Iliyasu 5. Bidemi Akonji THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To render assistant to internally displaced people.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

capped. We cannot but go to the permanent secretary to pay the company so that they can stay on the job. You can imagine what would be the fate of every individual’s resident across the city centre of the FCT, as well as thousands of visitors that troop in on daily basis, there will surely be epidemic in the city”.

Our source, who pleaded anonymity, said that the matter had been discussed severally but for misdeMRS. BERNADETTE IFEOMA EZE

MRS. OGUANYA REGINA OLUNWA

EKPENYONGAWAN OKONKWO

MRS. ROSEMARY OMOHUNMA JOEL

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Bernadette Ifeoma Aneke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bernadette Ifeoma Eze, all former documents remain valid.

UNTH Enugu and the general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss.

Ahodu Regina Olunwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oguanya Regina Olunwa, all former documents remain valid. SUBEB Enugu and the general public take note

I formerly known and addressed

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Rosemary Omohunma Ogbemudia now known as Mrs. Rosemary Omohunma Joel.

All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note

FATNESS DROPS MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Deaconess Joyce Ivie Owoseni 2. Shola Owoseni THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To reach out to men and women with marital issues, self esteem problems and youth vices.

2. Teaching God’s word through various plat forms, to the extent that Christ is formed in homes, marriages, among the youths and in the minds of God’s children.

3. Publication of Christian journals, magazines and documentaries.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

WINDING UP

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for CHANGE OF TRUSTEE under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004

COMPANIES & ALLIED MATTERS ACT SPECIAL RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 458 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004

THE NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEE IS: MR. ADINNA CHINEDU REASON FOR APPOINTING: For the smooth running of the Organization.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: Remain same.

Any objection to the Re-registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. DAVID N. UMAHI. (Solicitor

AFRICA ROCK OF SALVATION MINISTRY

Ministerial nomination tears Ondo APC apart

meanour of some quarters, nothing was done until this moment. He regretted the lukewarm attitude towards human primary health in the FCT, describing it as second to none across Nigeria.

“You will bear me witness that similar situation is being experienced in some of the critical sectors of the FCTA, such as lack of money to purchase chemicals to treat water being distributed across the city, feeding of boarding students in the secondary schools, as well as nonpurchase of drugs for the hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory” our source added.

PRESTIGIOUS HOUSE OF OGALANYA

The Former Trustees Are: 1. Mr. Okudo Henry Tochukwu - Retained 2. Mr. Gabriel Chuka Chinedu “ 3. Mr. Vincenet Okechukwu “ 4. Mr. Ojiako Samhenz “ 5. Mr. Okoye Chukwudi “

23 News

Advertisement Of Special Resolution Of Members Voluntary Winding Up And Appointment Of Liquidator In the matter of Haiyang Petroservices Limited with RC: 440417 in members voluntary winding up and in the matter of Companies And Allied Matters Act 2004, notice is hereby given that at the extraordinary general meeting of the company, duly convened and held at 201 Haiyou Street, Yanjiao Develop Zone, East Beijing, China, it was unanimously resolved as follows; 1. That the company be wound up pursuant to section 457(B) of the cama 2. That streamsowers & kohn of 16d akin olugbade street, victoria island be and is hereby appointed as a liquidator of the company for the purposes of winding up the affairs of the company.

SIGNED: STREAMSOWERS & KOHN +234 1 4611820

ABEOKUTA GOAT BUTCHERS ASSOCIATION

Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏ The choice of

Prof.

Omoyele Daramola as the ministerial nominee representing Ondo State has thrown the All Progressives Congress (APC) into crisis in the state.

Daramola was believed to have been nominated by the APC former national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and the Senator representing Ondo north in the National Assembly, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice.

A faction of the state executive committee, however,

as

Otu

known

Ekpenyongawan as

now

Ekpenyongawan

Okonkwo. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note

last weekend, expressed reservation over the choice of Daramola.

A statement, signed by the Party’s Secretary, Raman Rotimi, and Youth Leader, Babalayo Olutayo, said the state chapter would forward its position on the ministerial nomination to the party’s southwest leaders for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the statement acknowledged the prerogative of President Buhari to appoint a minister for the state.

EDDY DOVE CHARITY FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

TRUSTEES 1. Eddy Dove Udechukwu Chiwetaoke - President 2. Mrs. Paschaline Chinedu Chiwetaoke 3. Edwin Ebubechukwu Chiwetaoke Objectives: 1. To help the less privilege within our ability.

2. To assist our lost community in any developmental projects.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: David N. Umahi, Esq. (Solicitor)

UGBELE MEMORIAL CANCER FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Oscar Ugbele 2. Odo Chinedu Cosmas 3. Odo Chika Evaristus AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To empower people on the scourge of cancer and its prevention.

2. To mobilize education and promote policies that will help to eradicate cancer.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

WOMEN TOWER FOUNDATION

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act NO.1 of 1990

TRUSTEES 1. Yeotan King Kayode 2. Yeotan Peterson Teletha 3. Akinmodiro Olasunkanmi Okanlawon.

TRUSTEES 1.Mr. Shakiru Bello, 3 Mr. Akinyemi Fatai, 5.Mr. Monsuru Akanbi,

TRUSTEES 1. Asogwa Ebele Nebechukwu 2. Ugwu kizito Odinaka 3. Ekwueme Anthony Amechi 4. Ugwu Bethrand Ifeanyi

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To promote welfare and unity of members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: Secretary

2 Mr. Monsuru Adesanya, 4 Mr. Moses Adeshina, 6. Mr. Akeem Shitu.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To reach out to women and girls at the fringe of the society.

2. To create supportive programs to promote self-reliance and of women and girls.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: Chairman

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19 2015

Niger govt tasks NSIEC on LG polls Pita Chikwem

Minna ÏÏÏIn order to achieve free and fair elections, Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has been advised by the government to conduct the forth coming local government elections the way the last general elections was.

The Head of Service,

Alhaji Mohammed Lapai, gave the advice, in Minna, on Sunday, while inaugurating a two-day retreat for the management and electoral officers of the NSIEC. It would be recalled that the state electoral body has scheduled November 7 for local government elections which will take place in 25 local government areas and

274 wards.

Lapai explained the need to build on the successes achieved in the last general elections.

According to him, “the timing of the retreat is apt especially against the backdrop that we have had an election which was been globally acclaimed to be one of the fairest elections we

have had, in years.”

Lapai, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mamud Mohammed, enjoined the participants to take the advantage of the training and equip themselves for the local government elections.

The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security

and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Philip Ayuba, advised the state electoral body to be unbiased in executing its duty to ensure a hitch free election.

Said he: “We want the local government elections to be credible, therefore we should have attitudinal change in order to do the right thing and have a cred-

ible electoral exercise.”

Earlier, Alhaji Ibrahim Danlami, Chairman NSIEC commended the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for collaborating with the commission to train its officials. “This training will prepare us for a peaceful, free, fair and credible local government election,” he said.

Speaker underscores importance of CAN in Delta

Ogunyemi Esther

ÏÏÏThe

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Ovwigho Igbuya, has urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to continue to play its role in the structural uplifting and welfare of the people.

He also urged CAN, Delta State Chapter, to play a part in the development of the state, especially in the areas of education and health.

Igbuya spoke in Asaba at the 2015 State CAN Day. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Alfred Eshibogwu, Igbuya charged those in government at the various levels to make themselves accountable to the electorate.

Igbuya, who scored Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration high, appealed

to members of CAN to pray for the good government and development of Nigeria.

He urged the clergymen who were present to promote the glory of God, by encouraging the growth and unity of the Churches and helping them to lead the nation and her people to partake of Christ’s salvation and all its fruits.

He also appealed to the leadership of CAN to join in remoulding the character of youths in the country, particularly Delta State.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) needs to play a bigger role. It must promote youth development and provide opportunities for youths to enhance their interests, skills, and abilities.” he counselled.

NUJ dissolves Adamawa chapel Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Union of

Journalist, at the weekend, dissolved the Executive Committee of the Adamawa chapter of the correspondents’ chapel led by Umar Dankano, following a no-confidence vote passed on the leadership of the group.

The zonal secretary of the NUJ for the North East, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, who took the decision on behalf of the national leadership of the body, followed its intervention into the crisis which gripped the journalist group after 12 out of the 22 membership body passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the group led by Dankano.

But the sacked executive however has refused to vacate office, allegedly faulting the decision of the congress.

Up until the dissolution of the Dankano-led body there had been growing revolt over the lackluster leadership of

the exco, harassment of government officials and their refusal to hold a congress meeting following their reelection in May, which the 14 members used as grounds for their consequent impeachment.

But before their impeachment two members, Daji Sani Thisday Correspondent and Sani Abubakar of FRCN, both members of the Exco, quickly tendered their resignation to stave off their being forced out of office.

Suleiman who waded into the crisis generated by congress decision which sacked the Adamawa chapter of the Correspondents' chapel led

by Dankano, the Peoples Daily correspondent for the state his secretary Yakubu Uba, News agency of Nigeria and Ibrahim Abdulaaziz, VOA correspondent, observed that the members acted within the ambit of the constitution before reaching the decision to dissolve the Exco.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle) flanked by the Leader of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 24 participants, Commodore Williams Kayoda (6th left), Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo (4th right) and others, at a dinner in honour of the participants at the end of their Geo-Strategic Study Tour of Ondo State, at the weekend.

We’ll priorities girl-child education, says Mimiko’s wife ’Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏWife of the Ondo State

Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, has assured that the state government would always give priority to the girl-child education.

She said this at the official launching of the Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Programme (AYFHP) Centre, at the State Specialists Hospital Akure, the state capital.

The occasion, which was organised by the State Ministry of Health, under its Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, was in commemoration of the 2015 international Girl-Child Celebration.

She noted that any nation that educate the girl had not only invested in the family, but built for her a prosperous career for a better future.

She observed that the adolescents who were the future of the country, were crucial in the process of making peace, stressing that their welfare should always be of great importance to the society, adding that the educational welfare of the adolescent was why the state government embarked on the initiatives to promote the Girl-Child education in the state.

Mrs Mimiko told parents to desist from placing much premium on the male-child,

but devote their time on their daughters, who were mothers of the nation and whose innate potentials could be used for societal development.

She appealed to the Federal Government and all security operatives to intensify efforts to release the Chibok school girls.

Adeyanju, said the Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Programme (AYFHP) was an initiative of the state government that would guarantee qualitative health care service to all young lads in the state.

Adeyanju added that the initiative was planned to offer integrated services in four major areas namely:

Clinical Preventive Services, Community-Based Outreaches, Treatment /Curative Services and Referral Services.

He said the population distribution of the state was skewed in favor of adolescent and young people as the 2006 population estimated that 30% of the population was between 10-24 years.

Olukemi

Buhari’s ministers have pedigree to perform - Amb. Mumini Henry Omunu

Abuja ÏÏÏA gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Lagos State, Ambassador Nurain Mumuni, has declared that the ministers appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari were

good enough to serve the copuntry.

He said the ministers would not disappoint Nigerians in the discharge of their mandate and meeting the expectations of the people. Mumuni described the ministers as men and women with sterling virtues

and pedigree who possessed the requisite cognate experience in their respective fields to add value to the Buhari administration.

He told journalists, in Abuja, on Sunday, that he had no doubt about the integrity and competence of the cabinet members to

perform well, because he believed that they would add great value and administrative prowess to the government of Buhari.

“Their participation in Buhari’s government will help accelerate in delivering the president’s campaign promises,” Mumini said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Kukah, Jega, Alaafin, others to bag ABUAD degrees

L-R: CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni; CEO, Ardent Energy Services Limited, Lekan Akinrinmade and Head, Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, when the bank paid a courtesy visit to Ardent Energy Services Limited in Lagos as part of activities to mark the Customer Service Week ...recently

Gbenga Sodeinde

NULGE FCT demands Perm Sec’s sack Idu Jude

Abuja ÏÏÏThe National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike for the untidy manner the salaries of its members were being paid since 2013. It has, besides, called for the removal of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Obinna Chukwu, whom it blamed for the recurring incident of late payment of its members’ salaries and arrears of wages.

The union members made their intention public, last week, in Abuja, while staging a peaceful protest

in demand of their rights, which they said was being violated by Chukwu.

In their protest, the union members carried placards with inscriptions like: “The Permanent Secretary is corrupt”, “Pay us our salaries in time”, “Sack the Permanent Secretary for corruption”, etc.

They said that they had never had a smooth working relationship with Chukwu, since 20013 he assumed office. The NULGE members demanded a stop to being unfairly treated and demanded that their salary should be paid promptly, as those of other workers at the FCT Secretariat.

They frowned upon Chukwu’s refusal to attend to their case, and his avoiding the captains of their union on their grievances.

They said that the nonpayment of their salaries had made it difficult for them to the school fees of the children and feed well their families.

One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Mr. Obinna Chukwu is being unfair to us and must go.

We usd to get our salaries on the 15th of each month, but things have, since the coming of Chukwu, changed, much to our discomfort. He must go.”

Chukwu, claimed that the

salary delay was as a result of the newly introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Federal Government.

He said that NULGE was not being fair enough to his leadership since he had ensured that all promotions were given recently and salaries paid promptly.

Chukwu however, assured that his leadership was doing everything possible to clear the debts in the next three days, and urged the NULGE captains to be lawabiding, while they waited for the Accountant-General of the Federation to release funds that would be used to address their demands.

Corruption: Church urges Buhari to avoid victimisation Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Diocese of Omu Aran Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion has advised the federal government against victimisation in its on-going fight against corruption.

Speaking with journalists at the Third Session of the second synod at Omu Aran at the weekend, the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Omu Aran, Rev. Philip Adeyemo, said the church was in support of the on-going war against corruption in the country.

“We support the anti-corruption war of this administration; we agree with the president that if we don’t destroy corruption, it will destroy us. But let there be no victimization and falsehood in the progress of the

25 News

fight”, he said.

Adeyemo, who said that all the looted money recovered from looters should be published to avoid it being diverted elsewhere, as was being speculated, added that the call for death penalty for looters by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union was good but not expedient for Nigeria.

“Let’s tamper justice with mercy. Thank God, the President has constituted a seven-man Presidential Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption, headed by a renowned and disciplined man – Prof. Itse Sagay, who is working on the best way to handle the matter. In my opinion, if any looter releases his /her loot he/she should be given light punishment and not capital punishment, but if anyone fails to release his/

her loot, such one should be punished severely. When there is repentance there should be forgiveness,” he said.

Adeyemo, who said a majority of Nigerians lived in extreme poverty due to gargantuan corrupt practices by the leaders, added that corruption was the primary reason for wastages and bare-faced theft of public resources; “the main reason why a potentially prosperous country is struggling for survival.”

On the call for fresh National Conference by Northern ex-political office holders, the synod said that, “We, at the Diocese of Omu Aran, feel that there is no need for a fresh National Conference on the North-East issue. Everybody in the country is fully aware of the challenges facing the zone, which is

why the Federal Government should do something tangible to reduce their suffering without any delay.

“We are of the opinion that the report on National Conference, which was done by about 500 Nigerians, in 2014, who represented us should be looked into by this administration and implement the areas that addressed the grey areas of national development. Nigerians called for the conference therefore, this administration should please do something positive on it for the progress of this nation.”

Buhari

Ado-Ekiti ÏÏÏHuman right activist and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Mathew Kukah and ex-Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, are among notable Nigerians who would bag honorary degrees at the 3rd convocation of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

Others are the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.

At a press conference

heralding the convocation ceremony at the weekend, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, said that the university had complied with the Keffi declaration by the Association of Vice-Chancellors, where it was advised that such honours should only be bestowed on credible Nigerians.

“It is apposite at this juncture to emphasise the place and import of honorary degrees. Their beauty anywhere in the world is that they are awarded to persons who are deserving of such honours having excelled in character, useful application of intellect and academic excellence,” he said.

10 suspected Boko Haram members arrested in Jigawa Yakubu Salisu

Kano

ÏÏÏThe

Joint Task Force (Operation Salama) in Jigawa, has arrested 10 suspected suppliers of fuel to Boko Haram members in Birniwa Local Government Area of the state.

Brig.-Gen. Hamisu Hassan of Command 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who is in charge of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, made the disclosure on Friday while parading the suspects in Birniwa town.

He said that the suspects were nabbed while filling their jerry cans with petrol at midnight, on Thursday He said that the suspects were arrested based on sur-

veillance and intelligence report.

He said that due to the ban on the sale of petroleum products in jerry cans in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, the suspects travelled to Birniwa in Jigawa to buy the fuel. Hassan said that preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects were from Nguru, while the others were nationals of Niger Republic.

He said that two of the 10 suspects were minors below the age of 14. He said that items recovered from the suspects included 33,000 litres truck filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 40 jerry cans loaded with PMS, 188 empty jerry cans and Toyota Land Cruiser.

15 prisoners freed in Kano Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏFifteen

inmates of Kano Central Prison have been set free by the Kano State Government as part of efforts to decongest the prisons.

A statement issued by the State High Court of Justice and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Malam Baba Jibi, said that the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nuradeen Umar, released the inmates.

It said the purpose of the visit was to administer justice and to decongest the

prison.

The inmates released comprised detainees who had overstayed in the prison, as well as the aged.

This, the statement said, was in pursuant to the power conferred upon the judge

by CAP.C40 Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act. The acting Chief Judge also assured the speedy trial of cases in the Magistrates, Sharia and High Courts in the state.

He enjoined the prison authority to also participate and co-operate with the Judiciary in the exercise.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Features Æ OF HIGH TAXES AND A BOOMING BLACK MARKET:

Tobacco smuggling costs Nigeria over N250b in unpaid taxes annually — Freddy Messanvi

When immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) signed the Tobacco Control Bill into law in January 2014, it was greeted with the familiar intrigues by law enforcement agents (who take ambiguous laws out of context) and a largely uninformed public was at the receiving end.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reviews the contents of the new law with reactions from manufacturers and marketers.

When the new law was made public, not a few smokers found themselves behind police counters for ‘smoking’ in the public. The rumour made the rounds at the time that smoking in public places was banned in Lagos State; the misinformation was orchestrated in the press also and the outcome is now history.

But head of litigation and regulation at the British American Tobacco Nigeria, Mr. Sola Dosunmu, in a parley with journalists in Lagos

So that we do not ultimately create worse problems for society than it seeks to achieve, the Nigerian situation is such that over the last 15 years or so, with the increasing entrenchment of a well regulated and functional tobacco industry, the country has witnessed a steady decline in the volumes of cigarettes smuggled into Nigeria — Ogunlade

recently said that was never the case.

“The bill in Lagos actually dealt with public health and life; you are allowed to smoke on the streets, on the roads and on the highways, but the interpretation of ‘public places’ was assumed to be just about anywhere people are sitting down, standing up or hanging out.

“The law even recommended that hotels, hospitals, eateries etc, should dedicate 10% of their premises for smokers. Now it’s

Smuggled Cigarettes fund terrorism

up to the smokers in the society to either smoke in prescribed public places or out of sight of policemen,” Dosunmu said.

Illegal tobacco trade: the facts and figures Illegal tobacco comprises three categories of illegal activity: •Counterfeit cigarettes: They are likely to contain many times the levels of tar and carbon monoxide found in genuine cigarettes, and in some cases can contain insects and human faeces. The vast majority of fakes

come from illegal operators in China, Paraguay, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

•Smuggled genuine product: These are products manufactured for a certain market or country, but find their way illegally into another market.

Or are products carried into the country by passengers returning from a trip abroad and which are far in excess of the customs allowance for individuals. Taxes due to governments are evaded as a result.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Features 27

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Nigeria loses N250b to tobacco smuggling ‘‘Sales of illegal tobacco have been reported to fund human trafficking, drug and arms trades as well as terrorist organisations globally. A study in Europe has linked tobacco smuggling money to funding terrorism and trafficking of persons and hard drugs across the globe.’’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

•Illicit whites: Cigarettes that are generally legally produced in a market primarily to be smuggled into another market where they have limited or no legal distribution. The growths of illicit whites pose the most significant threat.

You can easily sit down in your room; place an order for counterfeit product, say, like Benson & Hedges from China.

You send a picture showing them how the packet and stick of the product are; you pay for it by bank transfer and when they receive payment the product will be sent via the high seas and all you do is to clear when it arrives. It has become an art and as easy as that.

In a spirited effort to raise awareness of the facts around the illegal tobacco trade which coincided with the WHO’s World No Tobacco Day on Sunday 31 May, BAT has developed a new campaign to showcase the nature and scale of the illegal tobacco trade, and the approaches required to tackle it which vary from country to country.

However, if all the different organisations involved in the illegal tobacco trade around the world were combined into one conglomerate, it is envisaged that the company would become the third largest international tobacco company by internal revenue generation.

The campaign portrays this fictional tobacco conglomerate --- International Tobacco Smugglers Inc. (ITSI) --- profiling the criminal supply chain and how these people are working together on an international scale in sophisticated, highly organised, criminal networks to manufacture, transport and distribute tobacco products illegally.

These people include the persons selling cigarettes for pocket money prices in local neighbourhoods and the transport

specialist who ships illegal tobacco products from country to country, through to the wealthy ‘king pin’ who is in overall control.

Freddy Messanvi, BAT’s legal and external affairs director, puts it this way: “The impact of illegal tobacco may not be felt as immediately and directly as other crimes, but the consequences are very real. By some estimates, illegal tobacco costs governments around the world $40-$50 billion each year in unpaid tobacco taxes.

“In West Africa, it is estimated to cost about $774 million to governments across the region.

Coming closer home, in Nigeria, this implies that illicit activities attributes to the shortfall in government revenue from tobacco sales by an underestimation of over N216 billion paid in taxes to the Nigerian government which could have been higher.

Smuggling not a lesser crime Authorities see it as a lesser crime. It’s not a crime that somebody is shot for because nobody dies. They think nobody suffers when they smuggle tobacco products but unfortunately, there are victims of these products. When they are smuggled in, government loses millions of dollars from revenue; the tobacco manufacturers themselves will suffer; the smokers themselves will suffer.

Illegal tobacco and terrorism A crucial fact to note also is that sales of illegal tobacco have been reported to fund human trafficking, drug and arms trades as well as terrorist organisations globally.

A study in Europe has linked tobacco smuggling to terrorism, child trafficking and drug trafficking. It was found that those who smuggle tobacco use the money to fund terrorism and trafficking of persons and hard drugs across the globe.

Combating the menace According to Messanvi, BAT

L-R Messaveni, M.A.N President, Udemba Jacobs-BATN MD McAllister and Charles Kyalo.

has been operating in Nigeria since 2003. “In the 15 years of our operations in Nigeria, we have shown commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Nigerian Government to regularise the tobacco sector, support sustainable Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and contribute to socio-economic development in Nigeria.

“Our partnerships with government agencies have yielded a significant reduction in (the) incidence of illicit tobacco products in Nigeria with a reduction from about 80% share of market when we first came in to less than 20% as at 2015, thereby supporting the reclaiming of government revenue lost through illegal tobacco marketing channels. Though a significant achievement, we believe there is still work to be done in this area.

“The amount of illegal tobacco is much more significant than is generally realised: an estimated 400-600 billion cigarettes, the equivalent of approximately 1012% of world consumption globally and in West Africa about 60 billion cigarettes which is about 10% of the global illicit trade.

“It is a transnational, multifaceted issue and one that requires a collaborative approach, from governments and law enforcement agencies with whom we work in partnership to retailers and customers who can arm themselves with the facts, to tackle it.”

The nature of the illegal to-

bacco trade varies from country to country but the drivers are very similar. These include regulation that is not balanced, over-regulation, large excise increases causing price differences between countries and ineffective law enforcement measures: Customs is ill-equipped to eliminate smuggling of illegal cigarette smuggling.

Freddy Messanvi further said that BAT as a tobacco manufacturer is an important part of the solution of tobacco smuggling.

“We are an important part of the solution and we invest over $75 million each year globally to fight the illegal tobacco trade industry.

British American Tobacco has dedicated Anti-Illicit Trade teams across the world and in Nigeria that work with government agencies, including police and customs officials, with the aim of bringing criminals who are involved in the illegal tobacco trade to justice. We also support the FCTC Protocol to eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, but this treaty will only be effective if it is consistently applied and enforced by joined up governments.”

High taxes boosts black market One key argument that was canvassed by anti-tobacco organisations was the need to selectively target cigarettes with increased taxation. The thinking behind this is that with heavier taxation, cigarettes be-

come more expensive with the result that they become increasingly beyond the reach of especially first-time smokers such as young people, while regular smokers are forced to cut-down on their intake on account of cost.

But an official of the Centre for the Promotion of Enterprise and Business Best Practice in Wuse 2, Abuja, Akeem Ogunlade, reveals that the reality, unfortunately is counter-productive.

According to Ogunlade, while high taxes are effective at jacking up the cost of cigarettes, they have proven ineffective at reducing the incidence of smoking. “The obvious reason is that when cigarettes produced by the legitimate industry are priced out of the reach of regular consumers on account of unrealistic taxation, consumers naturally resort to smuggled cigarettes which are cheaper and readily available.”

More gainers than losers Ogunlade further revealed that unduly high taxes will disrupt this critical balance and tilt it in favour of the illicit tobacco industry. “The reason is simple: If products are priced beyond the reach of consumers and they abandon the cigarettes produced by the legitimate tobacco industry in favour of smuggled imported brands, the legitimate industry will promptly collapse, alongside the consequences CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Tobacco smugglers killing Nigeria ‘‘Smuggled cigarettes are likely to contain many times the levels of tar and carbon monoxide found in genuine cigarettes, and in some cases can contain insects and human faeces.

The vast majority of fakes come from illegal operators in China, Paraguay, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.’’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

such as tax revenue losses to government and loss of jobs,” he said.

Will this lead to reduction in the incidence of smoking in Nigeria?

“Not likely. An uncontrolled and unregulated industry in which smugglers and black mar-

keters hold sway is more likely to enhance the incidence of smoking anywhere in the world.

“Indeed a recent report in The Economist affirms this. Cigarette smuggling, The Economist says, in its February 14, 2015 edition, “is common in New York: 58% of cigarettes smoked in New York are contraband. The reason is that tobacco taxes are high: a pack of 20 costs $13

Odiri Erewa-Maggison, Freddie Messanvi, Oluwaseyi Ashade and Sola Dosunmu.

in New York compared with $5 in Missouri, the state with the cheapest gaspers.” The paper adds that while there may be sound public health reasons for taxing tobacco, the higher the taxes, the bigger the black market.

“So that we do not ultimately create worse problems for society, than it seeks to achieve.

“Interestingly, the Nigerian situation is such that over the

JUST HUMAN

2.45pm. Ralia (in black) The most pretty displaced person in Malgwi IDP camp, Yola, Adamawa State. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/090.

Tobacco

last 15 years or so, with the increasing entrenchment of a well regulated and functional tobacco industry, the country has witnessed a steady decline in the volumes of cigarettes smuggled into Nigeria,” Ogunlade concluded.

It would be recalled that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) recently commended BATN for promoting high quality standards in its operating environment, consistent with international standards.

President of MAN, Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, who had led a delegation from the association on a visit to the British American Tobacco factory in Ibadan, last week, revealed that one of the major responsibilities of MAN is to provide its members with the means of formulating and communicating general policies with respect to industrial, labour and technical matters.

“I commend BATN for operating in an environment that is consistent with global standards. As part of our processes, it is essential for us to ensure that our members’ operating systems are consistent with the provisions of MAN, one of which is the promotion of an enabling environment for industrial development, growth and prosperity of the society,” Dr Jacobs said.

“We also have a responsibility to ensure that there is an appropriate operating environment for our members,” he continued, “and when issues arise,

it becomes our duty to ensure that the government takes the appropriate action in resolving them. As part of our responsibilities, we are duty-bound to visit our members periodically to learn first-hand some of the enormous challenges confronting them.”

Responding to the call for the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) for manufacturing companies, Dr Jacobs said the EEG is a very important initiative that supports the government’s diversification of the economy.

“The only way the manufacturing companies can be encouraged to drive the diversification of the economy is when they are provided with unique incentives, which in this case could be given in form of Export Expansion Grant,” he said.

Citing erratic power supply, port congestion and increase in export tariff as some of the key challenges confronting the manufacturing sector, Dr Jacob commended the players in the manufacturing sector for their resilience. He also urged them to rise above the prevalent challenges, knowing that there is hope that the situation will improve.

“I am a great optimist who believes that whatever challenges we are confronted with are not insurmountable, believing that things are better compared with what was obtainable in the past,” he said.

Our heritage Æ s

Fela

Fela: Even death can’t stop the rhythm Agozino Agozino IF Africa should identify its top-ten celebrities of the 20th century, Nigerian singer, composer, instrumentalist and phenomenal social activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti ( The Black President) should be within the top list. But until recently, his case seemed that of the proverbial prophet who has little regard at home. But suddenly, events of recent weeks in Lagos are venerating Fela to the level of deification.

Felebration is a yearly event that has been going on for 15 years in Lagos to celebrate the life and times 0f the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a true African champion and the king of afrobeat. Fela died in 1997, seventeen years ago.

Fela is a champion for many reasons. His music is still widely accepted as relevant universally.

In all respects he stayed true to being an African man. His style of music beat, lyrics and arrangement resonates strongly in one’s mind. His boldness in choice of words and audacity to express his soul as he is makes him an original and authentic African. One of the most beautiful things about Fela is how he maintained a fine balance of holding on to his beliefs and origin and yet being accepted internationally. A balance a lot of people find difficult to achieve particularly on today’s global stage. This makes Fela a world music champion, a label linked to very few such as Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.

Felabration was initiated by Yeni, his eldest daughter in 1998.

Yeni is the CEO of the New African Shrine, one of the venues that host the yearly event. The New African Shrine came into being after Fela where Femi Kuti (son of Fela), and his Positive

Force Band perform regularly.

A visit to the New African Shrine since this year’s event started is an experience indeed.

The decoration and furnishing is low key, functional and environmentally friendly. The feeling of being at home in Africa is prominent with a strong hint of Nigerian flavor. The atmosphere can be described as high electrifying energy with a warm free flowing ambience in an enclosed and encapsulating space.

The New African Shrine takes you on an exciting trip along the historical reflection of the legacies of Fela. This year Felabration kicked off on the 12th October and is still on-going at same venue. In between, the Freedom Park was also used as a venue.

Felabration is expected to grow bigger and better next year.

The fan size is expected to grow in volume accordingly, as the legacies of a true legend lives on.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

29

Our heritage 30

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Miracle Udeagha About three hours’ drive from Yola, the Adamawa State capital would lead to the kingdom not perhaps not worth envying by the way of today’s civilization, a world heritage site and listed among the seven wonders of Nigeria.

Located between Madagali and Gulag, and politically under Madagali local government of Adamawa State, lies Sukur Kingdom.

The landscape is characterized by terraces on the farmlands, dry stone structures and stone paved walkways. The terraced landscape at Sukur with its hierarchical structure and combination of intensive and extensive farming is remarkable. In addition, it has certain exceptional features that are not to be found elsewhere, notably the use of paved tracks and the spiritual content of the terraces, with their ritual features such as sacred trees.

The revered position of the Hidi as the political and spiritual head of the community is underscored by the magnificent dry stone architectural work of his palace, in and around which is a concentration of shrines, some ceramic. The villages situated on low lying ground below the Hidi Palace have their own characteristic indigenous architecture. Among its features are dry stone walls, used as social markers and defensive enclosures, sunken animal (principally bull) pens, granaries, and threshing floors. Groups of mud walled thatched roofed houses are integrated by low stone walls. Of considerable social and economic importance are the wells. These are belowground structures surmounted by conical stone structures and surrounded by an enclosure wall. Within the compound are pens where domestic animals such as cattle and sheep are fattened, either for consumption by the family or for use as prestige and status symbols used in gift and marriage exchanges.

The remains of many disused iron-smelting furnaces can still be found. These shaft-type furnaces, blown with bellows, were usually sited close to the houses of their owners. Iron production involved complex socio-economic relationships and there was a

Ikom monoliths

Front view of old abandoned house of Sukur Kingdom

A visit to Sukur Kingdom

Front view of old abandoned house of Sukur Kingdom

considerable ritual associated with it.

Some of the endowments are as follows: Sukur is an exceptional landscape that graphically illustrates a form of land-use that marks a critical stage in human settlement and its relationship with its environment.

The cultural landscape of Sukur has survived unchanged for many centuries, and continues to do so at a period when this form of traditional human settlement is under threat in many parts of the world.

The cultural landscape of Sukur is an eloquent testimony to a strong and continuing spiritual and cultural tradition that

has endured for many centuries.

The traditional terraced system of agriculture and its associated ritual systems are still flourishing. However, the traditional buildings are vulnerable to changes in materials and techniques – particularly the thatched roofs that require frequent maintenance.

The key features of the cultural landscape have not been significantly modified since they were laid down. The way in which they have been maintained since that time has been in traditional form using traditional materials and techniques.

The cultural components are still actively present among the

The Ikom Monoliths from Cross River State are traditionally known as Akwa-nshi. It has been identified and dated on grounds of oral tradition to span the period from the 16 to the early 20 century.

The Monoliths were of stones only. These stones made sculptures piece were found lying on the land occupied by five sub groups of the Ekoi people.

The indigenous men folks were fierce hunters and this re-

community since they are part of their living culture. The stone structures in form of houses, farm terraces and walkways still remain the most distinct feature of Sukur landscape. The regular observance of festivals and ceremonies are evidence of cultural continuity. These events have become more attractive due to the involvement of local and state governments.

The Sukur Cultural Landscape is a National Monument as determined by the Joint Instrument of Federal Decree No. 77 of 1979 (now NCMM ACT, Cap 242 of 2000) and the subsequent legal authority of the Adamawa State Government as in Gazette No. 47 Vol. 7 of 20 November 1997, and the written consent of the Hidi-in-Council.

In 1998, the Madagali Local Government, the Sukur Development Association, the State Council for Arts and Culture, and Adamawa State Government has agreed to work with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments towards the development of a sustainable preservation and cultural education programme.

flected in their arts.

Like the Igbo, Ikom society was stateless. The stone figures in refrence were found in particular area of the town and according to oral tradition, the represent ancestors.

In February 2010, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation inaugurated a Management Committee. Integrating customary law and Nigeria’s decree No. 77 of 1979, the Site Management Plan for the period 2006-2011 is being used by the Committee as the guiding principle for site conservation, management and protection.

Since inscription in 1999, all physical remains have been properly conserved by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in collaboration with Sukur community.

Annual restoration work has been carried out using traditional construction materials.

Along with shrines and other sacred places, the Hidi Palace Complex is properly maintained because they are currently in use.

Domestic farmlands are continually being expanded with the creation of stepped level benches adapted to hill farming. The age long tradition of communal labour is still used to maintain paved walkways, gates, graveyards, homesteads and house compounds.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, October 19, 2015

Yinka Odumakin

31 Opinion

Not a screening!

ÎÎÎ Had

Senate spokespersons not promised that the screening of ministerial nominees would be thorough and a clear departure from the business as usual of the past, I would not have invested precious rime watching an orchestrated charade.

I submit that the Senate would have done itself plenty of good if it had done the so-called screening in camera rather than on camera.The nonscreening should have been done without afflicting our sensibilities on screen.

One almost puked with the way our senators turned a very serious business of recruiting leaders in the various ministries that run the lives of about 170 million people into a comic show in the most casual approach.

From one nominee to another,the senators asked mostly patronising and “let my people go” questions which showed either dearth of knowledge or death of seriousness.

It was appalling seeing some senators struggling to even read out questions that were most probably

Fashola

Lai

written for them.

A nominee came before the Senate without any depth of knowledge of key areas of a sensitive ministry they were speculating and one ignoramus got up to praise the said nominee for the brilliance displayed.

A former Governor who was accused of spending N78 million of the resources of his state to build a personal website and his defence was that

he didn’t sign the cheque.

There was no Senator to ask him if there was any official in the state who could approve an expenditure of N78m.They were almost clapping as if they didn’t know that not even a council chairman signs cheques in Nigeria.

The most comical of the sordid exercise was the appearance of the All Progressives (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.He came

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into the red chambers and bowed about 20 times, introduced himself and tacitly apologised to those whose feathers he ruffled in his days as opposition spokesman. Banters were thrown at him and he was thereafter asked to “bow and go”. He is not a former Senator and not one question was thrown (I should have used another word as the guys in that chambers could really not throw anything really) at him.

It was a moment when you couldn’t but remember the days we had a Senate that understood what it’s duty was.Those were the days we stayed glued to our TV sets to listen to the Adesanya, Odebiyi, Akintoye, Okpozo, Saraki et al making submissions for hours without bore.

You listened to logical and persuasive arguments.

You learnt new words and proper pronunciation of words you were used to

before.

They did not go to the Senate to do fashion parade.They interrogated every issue from the depth of knowledge and seriousness.

Today, we have those writing their names on their caps and adorning their 10 fingers with assorted rings.

Their session could be a delight to fashion designers but not to those looking for serious legislative business. Our students parliament in the unversity in the 80s had qualitative discourse than our national parliament.

The pertinent question is where were the preparatory grounds for most of the people in our National Assembly and indeed in all other strata? Leadership has become the only job in our country today that requires no training.

There are no background checks of any sort. A guy completes jail term in America and heads home with a briefcase loaded with dollars to buy a seat in Leadership.

A few years back, Senator Nuhu Aliyu rose to raise a point of order that the red chambers harboured criminals. He was going to name names before his mouth was padlocked.

Any society that recruits people into leadership positions via the process we just saw has no chance of making it into the league of countries to be reckoned with.

I would not recruit a driver the way we screen ministers.

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ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. NEWS EDITOR: SEGUN ADIO News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.211

Price: N150

CHAN:

EAGLES OFF TO BURKINA FASO THURSDAY –X3

E H C E B OG SAVES G N I L G G STRU B U L C H DUTC AGAIN Stories by Mike Otanwa

I Will Show What Class of Rider I Am

- BETANCUR

BOASTS

–X7

B

artholomew Ogbeche was the hero of his struggling Dutch Eredivisie team Cambuur on Saturday as he scored a goal to avoid home defeat to AZ Alkmaar in a 1-1 draw.

Cambuur are 17th on the 18-team league table with five points from nine games.

Ogbeche scored the equalizer in the 72nd minute.

The former Middlesbrough striker has now scored five goals in nine games.

The 31-year-old striker has played for Bastia, PSG, Al Jazira, Alaves, Real Valladolid, Cadiz, Kavala, Xerez and Middlesbrough.

He has 11 caps with three goals for Nigeria and featured at FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002.

Life&

TIMES Monday, October 19, 2015

Mercy

Ebosele From costuming to stardom L2

Pomp and ceremony as Red Media holds maiden summit

P

L3,4,5

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

Mercy Ebosele:

I tag every costume to achieve continuity Mercy Ebosele is one of the stars in the Yoruba film industry, where she is highly respected by both fans and practitioners. When it comes to beauty, she has it and when it’s about her acting skill, she cannot be shoved aside like some of her colleagues in the industry. Since making her journey into the make-belief world, she has remained a powerful force, commanding good patronage from top movie producers, who run after her. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, the Edo State born actress opens up on the journey so far, current project to mention but few. Excerpts:

Mutiat Alli What’s been happening to you lately?

Like you are aware my movie ‘Ibusun’ was released few weeks ago. I’ve also been on different sets working as an actor and I’m currently working on the script of my next movie.

You said your movie was released recently, what’s the feedback like?

It’s been favourable. The viewers are quite pleased with the production.

I’m sure you must have put in a lot effort into the production, how did you cope?

It wasn’t an easy task. I consulted my director, Bayo Tijani and after reading the script, he said the project will gulp millions and we aligned committing everything unto God’s hands. While filming, costumes became an issue but God took control and the entire production was a success.

The script you are working on, how soon do you intend to hit the location and what is it about?

We should be through with the script in a month’s time and in two months we shall be filming as well.

My last movie was on HIV/AIDS but the new script that I am currently working is a crime story that highlights the extremity and tactics of criminals in the society. inspires

Life&

your

T E A M

What lines?

story-

I get inspired by occurrence around me or personal experiences shared with me but with the permission of the parties involved.

How did you get into acting?

I started acting back in the secondary school as a member of the dramatic society. In 2003, I met Bayo Tijani and Muyiwa Ademola who were in Oyo to shoot a movie.

I indicated my interest of joining the movie industry. Later, Akin Olaiya introduced me to Muyiwa Ademola formally and he told me the entire registration process of his drama school. My sister paid the fees because I kept my decision away from my parents because as at then they weren’t in support of my decision to act.

What’s your parents’ position as regards your acting career?

My father gave his blessings before his demise and he supported me; but my mum isn’t in support of my decision to take to acting.

Unfortunately in 2009, my father died and he didn’t get to see any of the movies I produced because he passed on after I produced them. It took me six years to position myself as an actress because most producers complained about my small stature.

What are the challenges faced in the course of your career?

Apart from movie producers complaining about my stature, some of my female colleagues complained about my referring to them by their first names; they insist that I use the prefix ‘Aunty’ before their names. Some of them aren’t on speaking terms with me, most

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

times they report me to my boss and he defends me by telling them that I’ve been in the industry for a long time. While some apologize, others keep malice with me. I had to divert to costuming in order to avoid talking to them; my sister gave me ninety thousand Naira to buy costumes.

Sadly most of the producers I worked with didn’t pay me. I had to quit after a while.

As an actress is it right to say that your experience in costuming is a plus for you?

Yes, reason being that I ensure that my costumes align with the character I would be playing.

Besides, I tag every costume to achieve continuity.

What’s your take on sexual harassment within the industry?

I’ve not experienced it so I can’t really say.

Do you agree that it exists within the industry?

I’m indifferent because in every industry both gender exists and it takes two to tangle. The consent must be mutual; you can’t be forced into any romantic affair.

Do you have any clique within the industry?

No, I don’t have friends within the industry but I have a cordial relationship with my colleagues.

Don’t you think that forming a clique could be an added advantage for you?

I don’t think so. I believe any producer with a good script will invite me if he/she sees me being fit for

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

such role.

Any intentions to join the English genre of Nollywood and do you think you have all it takes to join?

Yes, I intend to join the English genre of Nollywood and I do have all it takes to join professionally. I attended several auditions and am still waiting to hear from them.

I believe I will join them soon by God’s grace.

What’s your assessment of the industry as at when you joined and now?

We aren’t where we used to be, we are making progress and I believe with time we shall definitely get there.

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

As a movie producer, how do you cope with finance?

I ensure that my story fits into my budget.

Do you finance your project solely?

Yes, I do.

Can you describe your person?

Am God-fearing and sincere.

Are you in a relationship?

I’m still praying for a God-fearing man.

What are the qualities you look out for in a man?

I want a God-fearing man.

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

L3 Event

Pomp and ceremony as Red Media holds maiden summit Mutiat Alli Last week, Nigeria’s leading PR & Communication firm, RED MEDIA, an innovative media group focused on Africa held its maiden edition of the RED Summit at the Habour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The summit which is in partnership with Troyka Holdings and the School of Media & Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, saw media moguls across all communication spectrum -Broadcast, Print, Public Relations, Advertising and New Media come together to have a conversation about the future of the media industry in Africa. Here are tit bits from the event held from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18, 2015.

About RED Summit The RED Summit is West Africa’s largest Omni-media gathering. The summit brings together stakeholders in various segments of the media across the African continent to explore new trends in a rapidly changing landscape. Participants at the event will have opportunities to exchange ideas about the future of media on the continent. The RED Summit is part of events celebrating ten years of Red Media Africa’s impact on Africa’s media space, inspiring and empowering millions of Africa’s youth in the process.

4-in-one packaged event With its arrays of speakers ranging from Biola Alabi, former Managing Director of MNET Africa, MI Abaga, CEO, Chocolate City, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of Troyka Holdings, Mr. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity and a host of others, the four-in-one event started with the summit conference to gala night and then the master classes and a wrap with Team Red Consultative forum.

Biodun Shobanjo, (4th right) Chude Jideonwo (5th left), Adebola Williams (5th right), Nduka Obaigbena (3rd right), Ije Nwokorie, Betty Irabor, Biola Alabi, Quinty Pillay and other guests

About Chude Jidenowo’s speech Managing partner of Red Media Africa, Chude Jideonwo, gave a really captivating speech to celebrate legends in the Media industry during the Red Summit Gala. Here is few words from his well packaged speech.

“I speak often about culture. It is my favourite topic. I speak often, and passionately about the cultures that define our nation, and how many of those behaviours appear to be at the root of our national decline.

“By this I don’t mean who we are more than I mean what we have become: the attitudes, prejudice, stereotypes and behaviours we have learnt as we have tried to survive corruption, military dictatorship and several civil and other wars.

“One of those cultural anoles is the arrogant dismissal of the past. It has never ceased to amaze how every time someone wants to do something new in Nigeria, they start by dismissing what everyone else there has done before they. You hear ‘Oh, TV was rubbish! Oh radio was bad!

Gosh, what have our advertisers been doing?”

“There is also the epidemic of people – especially younger people – declaring that ‘XYZ has never been done before’, or ‘this is the first time this is being done in Nigeria’ or ‘I am finally going to do this right.”

“I grew up hearing this from peers, but years after it hasn’t ceased to shock me. This pervasive sense of disdain, of disrespect can only come from the collapse of perspective and the absence of history as an imperative.

“You know, in a country where most awards are given to politicians, to billionaires, to corporate fat cats, and to anyone who can pay money for it, some of our honourees here were shocked when call we called them: “Why are you doing this?”

“The underlying question obviously was: In Nigeria, why would anyone do something so obviously not for financial gain?

“The answer is simple, and this is the simple answer truly: it is a decision of the heart and not of the head, driven by gratitude rather than balance sheets. Our hearts wanted to do this. Our souls wanted to do this.

Our very beings wanted to do this.

L-R: Betty Irabor; Publisher, This day Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena and Publisher, Daily Times Newspaper, Mr. Fidelis Anosike

Chris Ogbechie, Chairman of Diamond Bank

Attendance As part of its 10th year anniversary, the summit had in attendance the crème de la crème from all works of life that includes Mr. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity; Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of Troyka Holdings; Ije Nwo-

Continued on L4

L-R: Grace Egbagbe; Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Ameachi; Chude Jidenowo, a female guest and Chief Segun Osoba

Event L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

Garba Shehu, SSA to President Buhari and Publisher, Daily Times Newspapers, Mr. Fidelis Anosike

Uche Pedro, CEO of Bellanaija

Darey Art Alade

Continued from L3 korie, Global CEO Wolf Ollins; Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University; Nduka Obiagbena, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, This Day Newspaper; Mr. Fidelis Anosike, Publisher, Daily Times Newspaper; Louis Otieno, Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Corporation; Biola Alabi, former Managing Director of MNET Africa; Chris Ogbechie, Chairman Diamond Bank; Uche Pedro, Chief Executive Officer of leading lifestyle blog, BellaNaija; Betty Irabor, Chief Executive Officer, Genevieve Magazine; Deji Awokoya, General Manager of Beat FM; Rimini Makama, Corporate Communication Director of Africa Practice; Tolu Ogunlesi award winning journalist; James Schneider, Senior Correspondent at New African Magazine; MI Abaga, CEO, Chocolate City; Gbemi Olateru, On Air Personality; Darey Art Alade, award winning Musician; Mai Atafo, CEO, Mai Atafo Inspired; and many more

And Garba Shehu bares it all Special Assistant on Media &Publicity to the President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu during his session at the maiden edition of the RED Media Summit reeled out the frustration he experienced from media organisations like NTA and AIT during the presidential election campaign earlier this year.

Shehu said: “Americans say that elections are won on the dollar. It’s very improbable that anybody can win an election without money. We didn’t have advertising money on our campaign. Even when we had little money to spend on

Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher, This Day Newspapers

Bisi Olatilo

Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi

Derele Edun

advertising, the Nigerian Television Authority was not making available to us slots, neither was AIT. I remember on a particular night I called NTA, they had 16 slots of one minute adverts and I said I wanted to buy one minute for the Buhari campaign, they said all 16 had been sold.

Some other instances that exposed the partisan nature of the NTA. Money was returned to us, from AIT money was returned to us. They simply won’t advertise for us,” he said.

Shehu narrated how the prompt spread of news of social media helped him go through a military siege at his home during the campaign period.

“The day there was a security siege at my home, I woke up to see that my house had been surrounded by armed policemen in the course of the campaign. In fact, it was the cocking of their guns that rose me and my family members from our sleep. Only to discover that tens of policemen, police vehicles, and some other unidentified vehicles darkened our windows around my home.

The first thing I did was to say ‘Who will help me out of this situation?’ I needed to expose what was going on, and the‎ first man I reached was Adebola Williams of Statecraft. Adebola began to announce on Facebook and Twitter from that moment until the security elements realised that the whole world was looking at what they were doing, because I remained indoors throughout the siege. Of course it was much later that we came to know why they had come.

Even the APC Presidential Campaign was penetrated by fifth columnists, and I will make this confession, because a day before that siege we had had a meeting with the security committee at which we agreed that we were going to run a

Ali Baba

Evita Mousalli, Chief Operating Director, Cool FM

story announcing that the National Security Adviser at that time, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, was staging a second coup d’etat against Muhammadu Buhari.

The former National Security Adviser was involved in a coup that threw out Muhammadu Buhari as military president in 1984. This time around, all the things that followed, the postponement of the election on account of this and that and a lot of the thinking of the campaign was that this was yet another coup being hatched by the National Security Adviser and we eventually discovered that this siege on our homes was to pre-empt the story,‎” Shehu said.

Print will never go into extinction, says Nduka Obaigbena As the debate continue to grow globally over the advent of new media and challenges it poses for traditional mediums like newspapers and magazines, Nigerian media mogul and founder of This day Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, has maintained that print media will always be a force in communication no matter how big new media gets.

Obaigbena, who spoke at a session moderated Beat FM OAP, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, posited that print journalism has over several years stood the test of time. “During the advent of radio, it was predicted that print was on its way to extinction but it stood the test of time.

“Same thing for the era when television was developed.

Now people are saying the same thing about new media.

I know print will again survive this threat,” Obaigbena said.

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

Reben Abati and wife

Bankole Williams of Tech Cabal

Julius Agwu and wife

Aramide

Dayo Adeneye

Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, Managing Partner and Founding Partner of Red Media Africa

L5

Event

Mai Atafo

Biodun Shobanjo speaking at the summit

Former Ogun State Governor, Segun Osoba, Adebola Williams, Oby Ezekwezili and Rotimi Amaechi Sadiq Daba

Vimbai Mutinhiri of Star Gist

Buzz Bytes L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

Victor Uwaifo keeps it classic on Tupepe Video Sir Victor Uwaifo takes the industry to school and shines on his latest Clarence Peters’ offering, ‘’Tupepe’’ feat. 2face Idibia. Tupepe is the second video off the inspiring double album, ‘Legend Reborn’ unveiled by Hypertek Digital in March 2015.

Produced by seasoned hitmaker Jay Sleek, Tupepe is a feel-good vibe that compels the listener to move and the video aptly captures Sir Victor Uwaifo and label mate and label founder, 2face Idibia getting their groove on in the company of gorgeous models 70s-style.

The album Legend Reborn featured some interesting collaborations and also top notch producers that include Del B, Spellz, J-Martins and Andre Vybes who doubles

Victor Uwaifo as the maestro’s son. The yet-to-be released album has songs like No Leave Me Alone feat. Waje, Kirikisi (Remix) feat. Ice Prince, Os-

uomwan Suehi feat. Queen Moda, Ukhorobozo, Tototolo and new versions of timeless classics like Joromi, Guitar Boy and Vulcanizer.

Wande Coal announces sophomore album Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe popularly known as Wande Coal, has taken to his social media accounts to drop the cover art of his sophomore and drop the date of release.

He’s calling the album ‘WANTED’ and the cover art will have you wanting.

Wande shared a tweet noting that all is now set for the official release of his album, he said ‘6years on and the KING is back!!! Stay tuned, this is for the diehard fans’.

Nollywood actor, King Joel delves into music Nollywood actor and producer, King Joel, who left the country for some years ago to United States of America (USA) for studies, has produced some movies which featured Nollywood and Hollywood stars.

The public shy actor has hinted intention of delving into music industry with his recent debut single titled ‘Proud to be African’.

According to King Joel, his first single projected that Africa is beyond slavery, fraud and animal’s world as being speculated and believed by the white men. The song is currently enjoying massive airplay in top radio stations as the song is more of a campaign song for Nigerians and Africans home and in Diaspora to tell great things about Africans and great things happening in Africa.

Raphael Saadiq, Maxwell to perform at BET experience Africa International R&B and soul artist, Grammy award winner, songwriter, musician and record producer, Raphael Saadiq will join R&B sensation Maxwell this December for the BET Experience Africa.

Saadiq, appearing for the first time ever in Africa, will perform during the gala concert at the BET Experience Africa, a spectacular global celebration of urban culture, music and lifestyle, from entertainment channel BET. The inaugural BET Experience Africa takes place at the Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 12 December 2015 as further performers will be announced shortly.

Saadiq is a multi-talented musician with eleven GRAMMY nominations to his name plus a BET Award nomination and Soul Train Award. Over the past two decades, Saa-

Raphael Saadiq diq, who also plays bass, mellotron, keys, guitar, percussion and drums, has worked behind the scenes as a celebrated producer, collaborator and sideman for big-time acts like John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dog, Whitney Houston and Elton John – to mention just a few.

BET Experience Africa pro-

vides the perfect kick off to the summer season, taking over the Ticketpro Dome for a non-stop, jam-packed entertainment fest, bringing together lovers of urban culture and music. Wowing visitors all day long, the BET Experience Africa will showcase great food, fashion, music, comedy, dance, sport and much, much more.

AFRIFF 2015 announces opening, closing films

...Genevieve Nnaji’s Road to Yesterday gets first showing As preparation towards this year’s edition of Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, moves towards its peak, organisers have announced two feature film highlights for the festival. They include Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea, as the opening film for the weeklong festival, while Road To Yesterday, the highly anticipated feature film debut by Nollywood diva, Genevieve Nnaji has been selected as closing film.

A highly revealing immigrants’ story, Mediterranea tells the story of two men who make the dangerous journey from Africa to Italy in search of greener pasture, but then face hostility and violence in what could be described as a shocking look at the life-and-death struggle of refugees while Nnaji’s Road To Yesterday is an epic love story, about a couple desperate to mend its marriage on a road trip to a relative’s funeral. However, when memories and secrets from the past are revealed, a lot more is at stake than their relationship.

“We are pleased that these two films will make the highlights of this year’s festival,” says Chioma Ude, Founder/CEO of AFRIFF. “Mediterranea is a sad story of capital flight. It is a peculiar story about Africa and its most vibrant workforce wasting away in the wilderness. Genevieve Nnaji’s Journey to Yesterday is another exposition of the diverse talents in the Nigerian movie industry. It is the latest offering from Nigeria and indeed Africa that even I, can’t wait to see.”

Chioma Ude Other feature films to expect at the festival include Akin Omotoso’s Tell Me Something Sweet, Yared Zeleke’s Lamb, as well as Desmond Elliot’s Reflections. The incisive Sembene, by Samba Gadjigo is a film about the late Ousmane Sembene, a pioneer and colossus figure of African cinema that features in the documentary competition together with Ireti Bakare’s Buhari and the Burden of Expectations and Toni Ayamode’s Unbroken.

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

L7 Buzz Bytes

Mutiat Alli

ON Set

Behind the scene of ‘Left for good’

Movie title: Road to Yesterday Produced by: Genevieve Nnaji Directed by: Ishaya Bako Cast: Majid Micheal, Genevieve Nnaji, Oris Erheuro, Ebele Okaro Onyuike, Bolanle Ninalowo, Chioma Omeruah.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Artiste: Waje Featuring: Patoranking Directed by: Aje Film works Make up: Jasper Makeover Style: Fierce and Modish Location: Lagos

Waje, Director takes close up shot

Genevivie and Oris

Waje

Waje and Patoranking

Producer, Genevieve Nnaji

Movie title: Thin Line

Movie title: Victims

Produced by: Fadekemi Momoh Directed by: Damola Olatunji Scripted by: Allwell Ademola Cast: Ayo Adesanya, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Bolanle Ninalowo, Jaiye Kuti, Sotayo Sobola, Leye Adesile.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Produced by: Mercy Aigbe-Gentry Directed by: Lancelot Imaseun Cast: Seun Akindele, Fathia Balogun, Saidi Balogun, Olu Jacobs, Juliet Ibrahim, Mercy Aigbe-gentry, Funsho Adeolu.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Cast and Crew members

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry and Iyabo Ojo

Alleged OOU shooting, K1 finally speaks

Director Lancelot Imaseun, Seun Akindele, Mercy Aigbegentry and some other cast members

Contrary to speculation that the much publicized K1 live at Limelite show ended in a rift, the organisers of the event have come out to debunk the story that has taken over social media claiming Fuji Act, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal’s show ended well with no shooting nor killing of any soul.

A close ally of the artiste who disclosed this to Life &Times, noted that “the several tales is totally incorrect as the event held and was a success and as such no student was shot at the event”.

Reacting to the story also, K1 De Ultimate divulged that “none of acclaimed incident happened as I was surprised when I read in papers, online and received several calls from friends asking if there was any shooting at my show which never happened”.

“One can then imagine my shock when I began to receive calls from well-meaning friends and family, who became concerned after reading the alleged shooting incident.

“On a final note, I want to implore the media and the police to investigate what happened between when I arrived in that town till my departure.

I believe those who attended the show and the people living in that community will be helpful in giving a true version of what really transpired on that day,” he added.

Olu Jacob and Producer, Mercy

Kwam 1

Jaiye Kuti on close up shot

Director Damola Olatunji

Ishaya and Genevieve

L8 TV guide

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday October 19, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

102 M-Net EDGE Channel

112 Studio Universal

01:00

05:20

Mon, 19 Oct | 13

Mon, 19 Oct | 16L

‘S3/E4 - Chapter 30’. Kevin Spacey stars as the ruthless politician Frank Underwood in this multiple Emmy award winning drama.

Claire Underwood struggles to salvage her Mideast peace plan in this episode.

101 M-Net West

A has-been divorcé basketball coach is asked to run the local high school girls basketball team. He finds an unexpected chance to get back on his feet again.

Emma Roberts, Rob Corddry, Sam Rockwell. (2009) James C. Strouse.

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

128 SONY MAX

00:05 New Tricks 01:00 The Cube 01:50 Come Dine With Me 02:40 Downton Abbey 03:30 EastEnders 01:10 The Imposter 03:00 The Double 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Modern Family 06:30 Blue Bloods 07:30 The Fixer 08:30 Moms’ Night Out 10:30 2 Broke Girls 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Nashville 14:00 Arrow 15:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Goldbergs 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 Grey’s Anatomy 19:30 Mysteries Of Laura 20:30 Elementary 21:30 Carte Blanche 22:30 A Good Marriage 23:04 Strike Back 22:30 Mob City 23:00 Strike Back 23:50 Rome

04:00 EastEnders 00:30 The Impostor 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 The Impostor 03:00 The Impostor 03:50 The Impostor 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 Would I Lie To You?

04:30 EastEnders 05:00 Spy 05:25 QI 00:45 Perils Of The Sentimental Swordsman

06:00 The Thin Blue Line 06:30 EastEnders 07:00 Antiques Roadshow

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

02:15 Most Shocking

08:00 The Weakest Link

17:10 The Cube

03:10 Most Shocking

08:50 The Chase

18:05 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

04:05 Exposed

19:00 Celebrity MasterChef

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

20:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA

05:25 Exposed

21:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA

05:50 Exposed

21:50 The Graham Norton Show

06:15 Video Zonkers

22:45 Would I Lie To You?

06:40 Repo Games

23:45 Tanked

07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos

09:35 Total Wipeout UK 10:30 The Cube 11:20 New Tricks 12:20 Top Gear 13:10 Come Dine With Me 14:10 Total Wipeout UK 15:10 The Weakest Link 16:00 EastEnders

155 AfricaMagic World

00:05 President For A Day 01:10 Sequence 02:00 Jara 02:30 Jara 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:05 53 Extra

08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking 10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos

154 AfricaMagic Family 04:50 Perfect Union 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Vanity’s Last Game 08:30 Living With Trisha 09:25 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 14:30 Goge Africa 15:00 Family Ties 15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos

04:30 Exposed

13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 01:00 Series TBA 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 My Good Will 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara 12:30 Jara 13:00 Series TBA 14:00 53 Extra

14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:25 So Wrong So Wright 20:00 Secret Adventure 22:40 Series TBA 22:55 Series TBA 23:45 Why Stop Now? 18:30 So Wrong So Wright

15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Max Knight: Ultra Spy 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny 22:30 Tool Academy

Poster!

CHUKWUDIEBERE MADUABUM

g X3

g X4,5

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

Maduabum

Chukwudiebere

BATTLE OF NIGERIA STRIKERS: IDEYE OUTSHINES CHRISANTUS

X4

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

AL PERSONATION INFORM

bum Madua udiebere Chukw Name: 19, 1991 March: Born n Nigeria Nigeria Lagos, Basketball Nationality: Keflavík Play: / Center forward e Club: Power r Leagu ic Premie Position: Iceland m) (2.06 e: in Leagu 6 ft 9 kg) Height: 210 lb (95 Day Weight: ation Command Inform Career : High school School : 2 / Pick: Secondary ) Nigeria 2011 / Round (Ibadan, NBA draft: s Lakers 56th overall the Los Angele resent by 2011–p Selected : Pro career History (Nigeria) Career Warriors Dodan gue) (Nigeria) 2009 (D-Lea Kano Pillars field Jam n 2010 Bakers eria s ) 012 Nig play a y (Qatar 2011–2 UM uabum iscurrentl ia) . He Al-Shamal gue Lakers 2013 Kalev (Eston olia) DUAB u” Mad er who r Lea Tallinna uud (Mong mie Angelese traded gue) 2013 Khuleg ut MA ere “Ch all play (D-Lea ic Pre Abo Khasiin ts wer diebl basketb and the Los Mad Ants 2014 righ Icel kwu by ia) Fort Wayne Chu essiona of the overall re his g 2014 third Kalev (Eston the followin t befo prof Keflavík 56th Tallinna was (Iceland) . for drafted NBA draf 2015 ard, eague, Keflavík gets t and while D-L was 2011 ver Nug er forw the Taylor teams ue: 2015–presen pow in the Den e a 6’9” ight from s Mik for two D-Leag also Awards to the um, ion (2014) uab ted stra d pickplayedg to the rs. He champ rouns. He goin MNBA Mad er draf (2014) o Pilla onship.

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Monday, October 19, 2015

Theater of War: g X7

KONO Retires

KAMEDA

NEYMAR’S

T ’ N O D I FEAR S ’ O L A H IG MOVE g X8

Dad Confirms Utd Summer Offer g X8

Z E H C N A S –

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X2

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

OPINION WEST HAM ON ALERT AS

LULIC’S

Talks Break Down

W

est Ham are keenly monitoring Senad Lulic’s contract talks with Lazio, according to reports in Italy.

Lulic, 29, is locked in negotiations with the Rome club over a new deal.

Lazio are willing to offer him a two-year contract but will not meet the player’s £1million-a-year wage demands.

And Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Hammers are primed to swoop in and capture the ace this January.

Bosnia international Lulic joined Lazio in 2011 and has already played 11 games for club and country this season.

He helped his country qualify for the playoff round for Euro 2016 and is a mainstay in the Lazio midfield.

However, it is claimed West Ham will offer the player a swift exit if contract talks do not go his way.

Lazio are determined to hold on to their star and value him at £11.4m, which Gazzetta claim has subsequently attracted interest from Bundesliga clubs.

I TRIED TO SIGN ORIGI AT DORTMUND

- KLOPP J

Lulic

urgen Klopp has admitted he tried to sign Divock Origi while he was Borussia Dortmund manager but that the striker was too expensive.

Before his first match in charge of Liverpool, against Tottenham, Klopp admitted he thought about bringing the Belgian to Germany.

The former Lille frontman was handed a start after Daniel Sturridge was ruled out with injury. “I’m really glad and satisfied that we can start with Divock Origi in this position,” said Klopp. “When I was Dortmund coach, I thought about him but he was too expensive. But now he is here we can work together.”

Klopp

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

USA COACH ADMITS FELL TO GOOD EAGLETS SIDE

stories by Mike Otanwa

N

igeria’s home-based team will depart for Burkina Faso on Thursday for a return leg 2016 CHAN qualifier.

Nigeria defeated Les Etalons 2-0 on Saturday in Port Harcourt and the overall winners of this fixture will qualify for next year’s CHAN in Rwanda.

A squad of 18 players from the 23 in the training camp will be named for the trip to Ouagadougou.

It has been gathered coach Sunday Oliseh will stick with the team who were involved in the first leg in Port Harcourt.

Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Femi Thomas, defenders Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Orji Kalu, Jamiu Alimi as well as midfielders Bature Yaro, Ifeanyi Matthew, Usman Mohammed and Paul Onobi will make the trip.

Strikers Gbolahan Salami, Chisom Chikatara, Ezekiel Bassey and Osas Okoro have also been penciled down for the trip.

X3

U

CHAN: EAGLES OFF TO BURKINA FASO THURSDAY

SA U17 team coach Richie Williams has admitted his team lost to a good Nigeria side on the opening day of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile.

The coach regretted the chances his team lost, saying if they had converted them they would have affected the result of the game.

“We are obviously disappointed because of the outcome. We played a good first half, we were balanced, solid and we even created some chance

that we were not able to convert,” said Richie Williams, whose team face Croatia on Tuesday(tomorrow) in their second game of the competition.

“Nigeria scored two quick goals, but thanks to unfortunate errors on our side. We were hoping to be more effective, but we lost against a good Nigerian team.”

Saturday’s result was a repeat of the only other clash between the two countries in 2001, when Nigeria also triumphed 2-0.

SWAZILAND

To Face Nigeria In W/Cup Qualifier

S

waziland advanced to the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Saturday where they will face Nigeria after trouncing Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate.

After suffering postponements due to the Djibouti team being stuck in transit in Kenya, the Swazi side cemented their

place in the next round with a 2-1 win in Lobamba following their first leg 6-0 away win in Djibouti.

A brace from Sandile Hlatjwako condemned the visitors to another defeat despite finally scoring for the first time in the two-legged encounter through Mohamed Issa Liban.

Swaziland will now face Nigeria over two legs in mid-November to determine which side will reach the final qualifying group phase.

The King’s Shield are ranked 135th by Fifa while the Super Eagles are ranked 52nd.

Williams

Battle of Nigeria strikers: Ideye outshines

CHRISANTUS B

Chrisantus

rown Ideye shone brighter than fellow Nigeria striker Macauley Chrisantus as his Greek Super League club Olympiacos thrashed AEK Athens 4-0 on Saturday.

Ideye, who joined the Greek champions in the summer from EPL side West Bromwich Albion, scored in the 70th minute to give his team a 2-0

lead.

He has now scored two goals in six games.

Former Golden Eaglets star Chrisantus was on parade for AEK Athens for 14 minutes.

Olympiacos are top of the league table with a perfect record of seven wins in as many games.

CELTIC TARGET LEKE FOR MORE GOALS IN NORWAY

N

igerian striker Leke James has said his target is to score four more goals to reach his personal target of 15 goals this season.

The Kaduna-born hotshot scored his 11th goal of the season on Saturday to help Aalesund thrash their hosts Stabaek 4-1.

James is being linked to a move to Celtic after the Scottish giants watched him in action recently.

“I am happy that I have scored more than I did last season because that has always been my first target,” he said.

“Now that I have scored 11 goals, I am looking forward to making it to 15.

My set target now is to score four goals in the last three games of the season.”

Nigeria international Akeem Latifu was solid at right back for Aalesund for the entire duration of Saturday’s road win.

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

Madua

Chukwudiebere

X4

abum

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

L A N O PERS MATION INFOR

bum Madua re e b ie d u Chukw 1991 Name: h: 19, rc a M Born n Nigeria Nigeria Lagos, all tb e k s : Ba lity Nationa Keflavík r Play: / Cente forward ue g a Club: e Power ier L : ic Prem d n la e Position Ic ) : (2.06 m League 6 ft 9 in 5 kg) Height: 210 lb (9 Weight: nd Day tion Comma Informa r e re a C hool: High scdary School : n 2 / Pick o c Se Round: a) / ri e 1 1 ig 0 N 2 , (Ibadan ft: ra d A NB Lakers rall e v o ngeles A 56th s sent o L y the 011–pre b 2 d te c Sele er: Pro care ) History (Nigeria Career arriors W n a d ) Do ria eague) rs (Nige 2009 am (D-L no Pilla J a K ld e fi 2010 Bakers rian 012 Nigely plays 2 – 1 a 1 0 l (Qatar) s 2 M abum i current e. He rs Shama U lA tonia) B A lev (Es du r who Leagu Lake a 2013 a K U a golia) n M s d D “Chu” playe emier ngele trade Tallin d (Mon A u u g 3 1 le M 0 u l r 2 Kh eague) re P al ut re sA Abo Khasiin nts (D-L iebebasketbelandic the Lo ights we A d d a 4 u 1 M 0 2 r l Ic yne kw by nia) Fort Wa ird Chufessionak of the overall fore his v (Esto e th llowing 2014 h t a pro Keflaví d 56th raft be n Kale s in o ll a f eland) a c T , w avík (I 15 fl rd, eague for drafte NBA dggets.

0 e 2 a K e w r L r and whil resent was e 2011 ver Nu er fo e Ds 2015–p pow from th e Tayloo team gue: ” in th e Den 9 ’ k 6 ht ks Mi for tw D-Lea also 014) Awards to th m, a raig mpion (2 abu fted st und pic played to the lars. Heip. a h u c d A ) MNB Ma er dra nd ro s. He going no Pil ionsh r (2014 A All-Sta play w secoWilliam before the Ka hamp B N M fello vious Nigeria rs and Club C ed t Lata as in Warrio A Africa n quir s ac elopme 1.0 he wDodan he FIB a w d v r t n m e e e a u th ed in re uab BA D ints l Ca play Mad f the N 0.7 po . , iona 1 s 1 o s 20 fe –11 with rage 18, field Jam Pro ted the ave g 2010 c h o e c l t r y e rin on ers Ma as s aft b d to On he Bak e went mes du m w NBA dr er trade u t a b H g y a . t b gue 1 u la ree Mad e 201 ere Lea ks in th ed 011, ck in th rights wht. c 2 quir o , l b 23 rall pi . His ft nig eac ter r e s n a e la rs ra Ju w me On 56th ov s Lakeets of d um was uab er, he one ga d a the Angeler Nugg v , M owe r just e 012 H Los Denve r the 4, 2 Jam. 012 aft 2 ts fo d 2.3 y e the d r l 2 g a e , g u e u ry 1 ersfi Jan erag he N On he Bak Februa ed t re he av . n i t n o j y b ved o ry. es raft he m to d abu ague w ee gam u d wai to inju d e r a r Le trad Gee y in th 2, M due gets ale Mc ma Cit 201 Summe ounds g y l u u V o N b In J 2 NBA 2.7 re the h Ja klah 15, ong wit the O 0 201 ts and 2 , l ia rs. y 19 m, a ck v poin l ruar duabu ound pi hia 76e b ama e a F l-Sh A On ts to M e first r hiladelp h t i in 9.4 righ a futur o the P ed w sign eraged assists and nder, t m u e av 0 . b 1 u a u h Th and Mad ere ar 13, gue wh blocks 0 2 Qat ary 1 lea ds, 3.6 anu D In J atar ’s reboun ith on.

Q 5 . ed w4 seas f 8 n o , g i . s s s t –1 hree poin t game bum 013 dua r the 2 after t eague a eigh M a o inn tic L 13, ia f nia r 20 f Eston left Tall two Bal e Esto b m lev o , he and ove 3 In Ninna Ka er 201 games iin l b l e has a m u T ece th K 013–14 i eag L D w n n I onia ed the 2 ors n f sign Est es. um e rest o Star ho ip. b a m u l h l h d ga t s a A a n , M olia for ague ampio goli e 014 Mon ry 2 f Mong earn l 014 ch a d by u n n 2 o o a e uire 4, q c In J leguud e went win th a 201 , was Khu son. H them um mber 2 aring in d b e a e a u e p u ece e l s g d p e a a p h e D -L ra ,M and to D 2, 2014 nts. Onnts afte A urn A r t d e e d R emb e Ma the Ma th Nov ayn d wi On Fort W ived by igne . s the as wa s. e v r Kale bum he w game nia dua allinna r o a t u s o M f E , left T 015 rn to ith 9, 2 e later y Retu r ed we after e a H n u . g n v i s agu le Ja am e On inna Ka bum er g dua emier L unds p a Tall M 5, dic Pr rebo nd 201 1 Icela t 7, Icelan and 5. s u g f the ints u A On avík o 7.6 po .

Kefl raging Kalev ave Tallina with

X5

X6

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

P U C / W 7 1 UMOTIVATED M E TO H I G H E ST LEVEL

- KROOS

A

sk the inhabitants of planet football to draw up a list of the top five midfielders in the world at the moment, and you can be sure Toni Kroos will feature on it. A champion with Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Kroos is a player who combines talent, vision and a will to win, qualities that have made him an integral part of his national team and his club side Real Madrid and which also earned him a slot in the 2014 FIFA/FIFPro World XI. Like any other star of the world game, Kroos has chalked up many a milestone in his career, one of them being the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. “It was one of the most important events in my development as a football player,” the man himself told the Local Organising Committee of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, a tournament that may well unearth the new Toni Kroos.

Though his side finished third at Korea 2007, the German midfielder was awarded the adidas Golden Ball as its most outstanding player. Eight years on, he had this to say about the accolade: “I was surprised by it. You play the game to win things with your team, not as an individual.

“I knew I’d had a good tournament, but I was overwhelmed when I collected the award. I was so happy to pick up a medal in Korea and the individual trophy was just the result of what that team achieved.”

It was one of the most important events in my development as a football player.

Kroos’ Korea 2007 record of five goals and five assists reflects both his talent and his ability to rise to the big occasion, as he explained: “I’ve been used to high expectations ever since I started playing football. I was at Bayern

Munich at the time and I’d already taken part in two European championships with the national team.

“I didn’t listen much to what other people said and I focused on my objectives with the team.

You have to work hard and believe in yourself, which is the most important thing.”

Confidence and commitment vital While confidence and commitment are the foundation of improved performance in the game, Kroos’ experience at Korea 2007 shows that they are even more vital at an age at which many young players fail to take the next step up “You’re in a kind of vacuum at that stage of your career: you’re still a young player but you’re also just a few steps away from the professional ranks,” he said.

“That’s a challenge, and it makes you think that if you work hard you can make the first team the following season.

“And obviously, a U-17 World Cup is a special event where you’re up against the best players in the world in your age group, where coaches, players, the media and football pundits are all watching what you’re doing. It gives you the motivation to kick on and reach the highest level.”

Kroos had already played a few friendlies with the Bayern first team – which was coached

by Ottmar Hitzfeld at the time – before travelling out to Korea Republic. The world finals were a crucial phase in his career development, however, and within a mere 18 days of helping Germany win bronze, he made his Bundesliga debut: a 5-0 defeat of Energie Cottbus on

26 September 2007, a game in which he served up two assists.

After serving a long apprenticeship, Kroos made his breakthrough on loan with Bayer Leverkusen during the 2009/10 season, the springboard for what has been a stellar career to date and in which he has won German and European titles with Bayern Munich and achieved glory at Brazil 2014.

Was Korea 2007 the moment, then, when he started believing he could make his way in the game?

“I’ve always had faith,” he said with a smile. “I think it showed coaches and fans that I’m a player worth keeping in mind. I knew by that stage that I had to work hard to convince coaches that they should work with me and take me to a higher level.”

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

Theater of War:

Cycling

KONO Retires

KAMEDA I

Betancur

C

arlos Betancur is optimistic that his move from AG2R La Mondiale to Movistar signals a change of fortunes in the course of his life and career.

The Colombian rider was touted as a promising talent, and won Paris-Nice in 2014, but has lost his way at the French team, struggling to find form, motivation, and a decent racing weight. He preferred to spend long spells at home in Colombia rather than racing in Europe, putting him in conflict with the AG2R team management.

After being left out of the Tour de France, he reached a mutual agreement in August to leave the team, and he is confident that finally putting pen to paper with Movistar will allow him to put the unhappy days behind him and go on to fulfill his potential.

“I’m happy to belong to the number one team in the world, and I believe that with a person like Eusebio Unzué, who

I Will Show What Class Of Rider I Am

- BETANCUR

BOASTS knows me and my characteristics very well, great things are on the way for me and for Movistar,” the 26-year-old said in an interview with the Colombian Cycling Federation.

“I believe that being in a team like Movistar will consolidate me as a rider. I had some problems with AG2R and that made it hard to demonstrate what class

L

Austin this weekend.

“It’s one day less of Formula 1 driving for me in my life, so trust me I’m not happy about it. I count every day as a real blessing and when you don’t get to utilise it, it sucks.”

Of course, no change in format can ensure blue skies and sunshine.

But Hamilton still thinks a shake-up would be for the better.

During the summer, the FIA announced that “several exciting and innovative changes to the qualifying and race weekend formats have been discussed” for 2016, with a Saturday sprint race believed to be under consideration.

Many people watching the fight online and ringside felt that the punch from Kameda might have been legal, but Kono received the benefit of the doubt. Had he not, he may have been stopped as it took him a good while to recover.

The two fighters would have countless furious exchanges throughout the fight. Some of the punches were legal; others not so much. In the third round, Kameda had two points deducted for low blows. That didn’t seem to be justice for Kono as he had begun to retaliate with some borderline shots of his own, as well as a shot that landed after the bell. Ruiz threatened to halt the bout in the seventh round if the fouls didn’t cease.

Boxing

of rider I am. But now with Movistar we are going to show the class of rider that I am.”

Betancur would not expand on any underlying acrimony with AG2R but delivered a thinly-veiled snipe by saying that he considers the French outfit to be less professional than his new team.

Hamilton Demands Changes To ‘Boring’ F1

ewis Hamilton reckons the “incredibly boring” practice sessions for the Russian GP highlighted how F1 could improve its race weekend format.

Friday running in Sochi was severely limited after a diesel spillage and then persistent rain frustrated drivers, teams and fans alike. Bad weather had also affected Japanese GP practice a fortnight earlier.

“I’m sure it was (boring) for whoever tuned in — and if they did tune in and nothing happened. And for you guys and for us, the mechanics, engineers, it’s dull,” said Hamilton, who could win his second straight world title in

n Chicago, over the weekend, two Japanese warriors went to war. When it was over, reigning WBA super flyweight champion Kohei Kono (31-8-1) successfully defended his title with a unanimous-decision win over Koki Kameda (33-2).

The fight—no brawl—was action-packed and foul-filled. In the second round, Kameda landed a low blow on the champion that forced the latter to a knee. Referee Celestino Ruiz gave the champion time to recover and he bounced back with vigor.

Moments after resuming action, Kono connected with a straight right hand that dropped Kameda. It was a dynamic shot and it set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Golf

Kono vs Kameda

‘DON’T THINK I’M READY’ FOR LPGA TOUR

- PARK

De Vrij

S

ung Hyun Park moved into position to try to become the fourth Korean LPGA Tour player to claim membership on the Americanbased LPGA tour with a victory in a little more than a year, but she said Saturday she isn’t sure she’s ready to play the American tour.

Park, who is playing her first LPGA event, opened

the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship with a course record 10-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead at the Sky 72 Ocean Course in Incheon, South Korea. After falling back in the second round, she moved into a tie for the lead Saturday with a 67. She’s atop the leaderboard with Lydia Ko. If Park wins Sunday, she could claim LPGA membership for the rest of this year and through next season. Or, she could defer membership to next year for 2016 only. But Park says she’s not sure if either option is right for her.

“I don’t think I’m ready, maybe because I haven’t really thought about it,” Park said through a translator. “Never really entered my mind. So I haven’t really given it a deep consideration.”

X8

Monday, October 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Transfers…Transfers…Transfers…

Barcna Ready For January Transfer

– ENRIQUE R

Sanchez

W

atford boss Quique Sanchez Flores, has said he does not fear star striker Odion Ighalo will move to a bigger club in January.

The 26-year-old Nigeria international has scored five times this term, which has taken his tally for the calendar year to 25, the highest in England in 2015.

Ighalo, who was nominated for September’s Player of the Month prize, turned down a big-money move to China over the summer, and signed a five-year deal to remain at Vicarage Road earlier this season.

His form may attract interest from bigger teams when the transfer window opens in January if his goal scoring continued.

“I’m not scared about Ighalo. I’m happy with him and not thinking about what might happen in the winter market. He had the chance to go out in the summer but decided to stay here and that was an amazing decision,” said the Watford manager.

“When a player plays well, the value changes to buy him. But we now think Ighalo is our most important player, he is very happy and can play in different positions.’’

I DON’T FEAR IGHALO’S MOVE

- SANCHEZ

eal Madrid have won their last seven matches against Levante, while Barcelona have notched 40 goals in their last nine matches against upcoming opponents Rayo Vallecano.

Luis Enrique has suggested Barcelona are ready to make moves in the January transfer window.

Barca have been hit by injuries to players including Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Rafinha, with summer signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal unable to feature until January because of a transfer ban.

Celta Vigo attacker Nolito is thought to be a January target, although budgetary considerations mean some squad members may have to be moved on.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday’s home game against Rayo Vallecano, Luis Enrique said: “Already since the summer we have been working on this.

Enrique

NEYMAR’S

Dad Confirms Utd Summer Offer

Liverpool Bids £23.5m For

N

eymar’s father has confirmed that Barcelona received an offer from Manchester United this summer for his son, but revealed neither the Neymars

MARCHISIO

L

iverpool are reportedly preparing a transfer bid for Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

New Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is believed to be an avid admirer of Marchisio and is willing to offer £23.5million for the 29-year-old, according to Spanish news outlet Fichajes.

However, Juventus will be desperate to keep hold of the Italian international if Paul Pogba decides to make a big money move away from the Serie A outfit.

It’s understood both Arsenal and Manchester United have also been interested in signing Marchisio in recent seasons.

The club has not said anything to me about any financial situation.”

Messi is sidelined with a knee ligament injury which Barca have said will keep him out until late November.

Neymar

Marchisio

nor the Catalan club had any interest in accepting the proposal.

Speaking in Brasil, Neymar Sr., who guides his son’s career, explained the situation.

“Barcelona’s directors came to speak with us. They said that United had made an offer, but that they didn’t have any interest in accepting it. We also said that we didn’t want to and the matter ended there,” the elder Neymar said.

Neymar Sr. did not reveal any detail of the United offer, however reports in England over the summer suggested the Red Devils were prepared to spend as much as £240 million which included the buyout and long-term contract on the Brazilian superstar.

Neymar is currently tied to Barcelona until June 2018, and the club has expressed confidence in further extending and increasing the Brazil captain’s deal in the near future, with the 23-year-old’s recent legal trouble halting any immediate movement on a new accord.